
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, i 

Cliai)3?Zr|CopYright No, | 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, j 




'■ '' ' V ■ C ' V' . . 

l ;.}•• r- : • , ■> •, "i !. 

'h\K ■ ■. s'- 


v ’ V 

'• ,-x ' ■' <' ,4.'^ :■• )t' 


■'* ' - Vi 

i ,. 

^4>Kr>„,A 




• >/ 


^■'r, 


^ ■ ‘ . 1 ^- >' . * \ ,^f ■■ . '• 


» . 







. -. - -«> aV' .>:> 

•; • ' f '.r-‘ •- . :'v.vyy ,^i-'- 

-'A.- . ' ,:; .7 ' :''' ' 

f ^ \ V ,1'^ 

«. ♦ •Ixl/C 


. 

^■/-t 




• 1 . 
' V'wi -. /Ii'. 




/>-v 


>*-'■, 

» \r 


■:!,-'.:'^%J^. r ^-Y-, ■: ■ ; •• . , 

t* ' '^V<' o, » ' ' 


>':• ; ,i 

4 


£;•, > <>.- V': 

VL»"'r\ 1 




sl^-v.-:; ' , 

• j •/•.• '■► V' ' 




f; 


A * 

^ - 


c . 

^>*5 

• . ' ' * ■ 4 V- M • *- * ’ ■ 

' '--v-V .‘i i'* 

; . ' ;■ ./ .■ ^ >: 

v;' 

.V 


■>; 


y _ , ^ y ; ^ ■ -/> '’'V,;/ . ■' ’:^yi x'-'j 

’•^''.■■‘^i!|!#k'---'S '■ — ■■'■'.'Ay" 

; . ■,V*V , ■’ ■ ', ■ ■ '•* .. .'I ■•- ' ■'k -. ',“, ‘ &■'. ^ ..' 


■ '■ -I 
« - .■‘' 


, V . , 


' \ A ' 





' J'-. j; ^ r 





z' 


' - A 

« , 

^ Ki' 


•« V. 


M 

I 


“Tv--", . '*^‘4; v'.''< 

.' '■> ;.;V.44® ■ :'" 

' V ,;# ; ..>. 

; ' ■"■ -'s.^ 

• ' , - * ' - Vs y 

•v - . ’.-s . •* . A'V" '. - 


y 


'. ', ^;rir • ' -r^- 

^ -"J-' ■. , 




t N * 

y 1 . 

,-* |tv' 

-‘‘.4 n 

, '• • -^v-; 

« y* 



* V 

. . 

«'■.■:■• 



y : 

’ ' ';**■- 
. t — > 

; . : ‘ 
It" i • 

ff- 

'- • ■ *> - 

A .-i.]\ •■ 

•* , -7 


' .,' V» ' •• 


Vi 


.*f I 

i'- .1 


. ■ -- V • ’•- ■ ’ . .. ■ ' .'^ ■ ^ J ■- 

k'- ' ^ ^ ^ 

• ■ *> ^ ^ ' -^SvTi^ ‘ . .,, ' -. V o. y\ 


r 



I 


A. ■' 












Your Money or Your Life!”— P age 204. 



ETHELRED 


PRESTON 


OR, 

THE ADVENTURES OF 
A NEWCOMER. 


y 

FRANCIS J. FINN, S.J., 

AUTHOR OF “PERCY WYNN,” “ TOM PLAYFAIR,” “ HARRY DEE,” 
“CLAUDE LIGHTFOOT,” “MOSTLY BOYS,” ETC. 




NEW YORK, CINCINNATI, CHICAGO! 

BKNZIQER BROTHERS, 

Printers to the Holy Apostolic See. 

1896. 



BY THE SAME AUTHOR. 


Each Volume with a Frontispiece. Published in 
uniform style., lemo., cloth, each 8y cents. 


PERCY WYNN ; OR, Making a Boy of Him. 

“This is by far the best tale of school-boy days that 
we have read since the old times when ‘ Tom Brown ’ 
delighted us.” — Colorado Catholic. 

TOM PLAYFAIR ; OR, Making a Start. 

“It is the best b<w’s book that ever came from the 
press.” — Michigan Catholic. 

HARRY DEE ; OR, Working It Out. 

“This is a downright good tale for boys: full of 
adventures and hairbreadth escapes.” — Liverpool 
Catholic Times. 

CLAUDE LIGHTFOOT; OR, How the Problem 
Was Solved. 

“It is full of life, snap, and interest.” — Northwestern 
Chronicle. 

MOSTLY BOYS. SHORT STORIES. 

“It does not matter how old your boy may be, he 
will enjoy Father Finn’s Stories.’’ — Church Progress. 


BENZIGER brothers: NEW YORK, CINCINNATI^ CHICAGO. 


Copyright, 1896, by Benzlger Brothera. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER PAGE 

I. A Letter from Ethelred's Mamma, . . 9 

II. In which Things Begin to go Badly with 

Earl Meriwether, 18 

III. The Story of Earl, 28 

IV. Master Ethelred Preston, . . . .40 

V. In which Ethelred proposes to Run away, . 48 

VI. Ethelred puts on the Boxing Gloves, . . 68 

VII, Ethelred in the Frying-pan 79 

VIII. In which Ed Devereux proposes to help 

Ethelred to Run away, . . . *91 

IX. In which Ethelred Finds it Hard to Sleep 

Undisturbed, 104 

X. In which Earl Meriwether receives another 

Public Admonition, . . . . .116 

XI. In which Ethelred takes more Rope than 

Devereux had counted upon, . . .129 

XII. In which Ethelred “Gets Religion” and turns 

over a new Leaf, . . . . .135 

XIII. In which Ethelred becomes more Mysterious 

and Earl more Heroic, .... 148 

XIV. In which Earl has a Momentous Interview 

with Father Noland, .... 160 

5 


6 


CONTENTS, 


CHAPTER 

XV. In which the Darling goes into Business and 
the Midgets into Bankruptcy, . 

XVI. In which Eddie Devereux becomes a God- 
father, 

XVII. In which the Darling Runs away in Good 

Earnest, 

XVIII. A Memorable Morning, . . . . 

XIX. Ethelred Preston, Brighton, Albany Villa, . 

XX. Why Ethelred failed to Reach Henryton in 

Due Time 

XXI. In which Ethelred Finds the Best of 

Mothers, 

Chapter the Last, .... ♦ , 


PAGE 

172 

195 

201 
21 1 
218 

223 

251 

256 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


CHAPTER I. 

A LETTER FROM ETHELRED'S MAMMA. 

^ RATED at his desk, on a bright Wednesday 
morning towards the end of January, Father 
Edmunds, the reverend president of Henryton 
College, was gazing with a look of weariness 
upon the enormous mass of papers, pamphlets, 
and letters piled up before him. The gaze and 
the weariness lasted but a moment; then he 
fixed his eye-glasses firmly upon his nose, and 
set to work at distributing. While slipping the 
letters from his hand to a table at his side he 
scanned their superscriptions, dropping some to 
the right and a great many to his left. The 
larger pile thus formed was made up of letters 
addressed to the students; the smaller, of those 
addressed to himself and his community. From 
the letters Father Edmunds went to the pamph- 


xIO 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


lets, magazines, and newspapers; and here the 
waste-basket came into service. With a dex- 
terity born of long experience, the president 
could ascertain, in most cases at a glance, and 
without opening their wrappers, the general 
character of the enclosed missives. Before he 
had done with examining these, the waste-bas- 
ket had received a very generous moiety of 
current literature. The morning’s mail thus 
sorted. Father Edmunds touched his bell, in 
answer to which a young gentleman, his private 
secretary, entered the room. 

For the vice-president,” said Father Ed- 
munds, pointing to the mail of the students. 

The secretary bowed, took the mail in his 
hands, and withdrew. 

Having thus narrowed his field of labor, 
Father Edmunds addressed himself to a more 
careful examination. Again taking up the 
letters, he selected his own. Opening these, 
he skimmed rapidly over the first five, pigeon- 
holing three and dropping two into the waste- 
basket. But the sixth letter gave him pause. 

It was enclosed in a dainty, scented, square 
envelope, and was a very lengthy production. 
Setting aside the evidence of the perfumery, the 
communication was evidently the work of a 


ETH BLEED PRESTON, 


II 


woman : it was written down and across the page 
in fat sprawling letters, where m ' and w'?, and 
and v were utterly indistinguishable. 
Father Edmunds sighed; he had struggled 
through such letters before. Nothing could Ipe 
skipped, nothing taken for granted. Not in- 
frequently the most important part of such 
missives was to be found where crossings were 
thickest. He began, then, the reading with 
mild resignation. Suddenly an expression of 
awakening interest came upon his features: as 
he reached the third page a smile began to 
flicker; it burst into a flame at the fourth, and 
blazed on merrily to the end, when he ex- 
claimed : 

“ Little Lord Fauntleroy the second! 

He laughed quietly, and added: 

“ I fancy the small boys of Henry ton College 
are going to be awakened from their mid-winter 
dulness. I must see the vice-president at 
once.” 

” Father Howard,” he exclaimed, as he en- 
tered the vice-president’s room a moment later, 
“ have you room in the junior division for a 
Little Lord Fauntleroy ? ” 

‘‘ I have, certainly; but I’m not so sure about 
the boys. They may try, in their innocent but 


12 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


abrupt way, to find out whether he is really and 
truly real.” 

Well, it would appear that he is real 
enough: just read this letter.” 

Father Howard took the scented envelope, 
drew out the enclosure; and this is what he 
read : 

Reverend Edmund C. Edmunds. 

Reverend Dear Sir : It is after reflection and 
thought and many tears that I address myself 
to your kindness. I now find myself, dear 
reverend sir, forced to face a trial, which, alas, 
but one week ago I could not so much as have 
fancied. My darling little boy and I must part. 
Ah, dear Father, if you but knew what that 
meant. No one but a mother can appreciate 
the grief which fills my heart. The dear child 
is the picture of his father. He is lovely and 
innocent, and has never been away from my 
side — not even for one day. Whatever he 
knows — and he has gone quite far in spelling 
and botany, including the language of flowers — 
I have taught him myself, and in my teachings 
I have addressed myself to the heart rather than 
to the . head. He is not at all like other boys, 
of whom it may be said that they are uniformly 
rude, but has all the refinements of a young lady. 
H e is docile, amiable, cheerful, happy as the 
day is long — the sweetest child imaginable. All 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


13 


his little ways are lovely. He is generous to a 
fault, in which he resembles his father, and is 
as sensitive as I was in the days of my youth, 
and conscientious to a degree approaching scru- 
pulosity. And yet I am not, after the fashion of 
most mothers, blind to his faults. My little 
Ethelred is just the least trifle impetuous and 
inconsiderate. By those who do not understand 
him, he might even be called thoughtless. 
Nevertheless, he is so open to reason! A little 
talk, if kindly and considerately given and 
accompanied with a little coaxing, will never 
fail to bring him to his senses. He has never 
been subjected to corporal punishment — the 
dear child is high-strung, and so nervous, and 
would be injured for life by such barbarous 
treatment. Under no circumstance must the 
child Be touched — this point I insist upon. 

Ethelred is a delicate child. Just after teeth- 
ing he contracted a severe illness. [Here the 
fond mother goes into a detailed account of all 
Master Ethelred’s various ailments and maladies, 
mentioning incidentally, but at some length, 
several diseases which, by an especial providence, 
he had just narrowly escaped. As these details 
are of little interest to the public at large, and 
do not bear directly upon the story, I omit 
them.] 

Now, dear reverend sir, in view of what I 
have told you, you must see how necessary it is 
that the greatest care be taken of Ethelred’s 


14 ETHELRED PRESTON’. 

health. He should get a glass of milk at least 
four times a day — twice in the morning and 
twice in the afternoon. 

The boy should by all means bring a cow 
along,” muttered the vice-president. 

If possible, he should have sweet bread every 
morning at breakfast, a glass of port wine at 
dinner, and dry toast at supper. 

^‘He should bring his cook along too,” inter- 
jected the president. 

Ethelred is not a Catholic. I am an Episco- 
palian in theory, and my dear boy will probably 
join the same church. I am not a bigoted 
woman, and believe that there are good Catho- 
lics, many of whom will doubtless go to heaven. 
My boy is naturally very religious, and I send 
him, to your school because I understand that 
the moral training there is excellent. Miss 
Martin, whose nephew Earl Meriwether attends 
your College, gives me an excellent account of it. 
I do not know Earl personally, though his la- 
mented mother and I were most intimate friends 
at school, and I feel that Earl, whose reputation 
stands very high, will be a suitable companion 
for my boy — as far as any boy can be a suitable 
companion for one who has had such home train- 
ing as my Ethelred has enjoyed. If there are 
any good Catholic boys attending your College, 


ETHELRED PRESTON'. ' 1 5 

supposing, of course, that their manners make 
some such approach towards refinement as we 
have reason to expect of boys of the better 
class, I see no objection to my boy’s associating 
with them under dtie mspection. 

I am so agitated, dear reverend sir, that I 
find it almost impossible to put my thoughts on 
paper with any appearance of order. I should 
ere this have explained to you my reason for 
being obliged to separate myself from my sweet 
child. It is inevitable. Yesterday I received a 
telegram from London, England, stating that 
my husband has there been attacked by hemor- 
rhages, and that his position is precarious. 

Of course I must start by the next steamer. 
Gladly would I bring my little Ethelred along, 
but the poor child is so sensitive to seasickness 
that it would be literally flying in the face of 
providence to imperil his precious health — may- 
hap his life — by taking him along. The parting 
is difficult, but it must be made. Again and 
again I beg you to bestow every attention 
upon my darling, and a mother s prayer and a 
mother s blessing will accompany you through 
life. 

Thanking you in advance for your kindness, 
and asking you to overlook the inaccuracies and 
blunders of a well-nigh distracted mother, I am, 
dear reverend sir, 

Yours most earnestly and beseechingly, 

Eleanor Preston. 


i6 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


P.S. — Enclosed you will find a check or a 
draught or a bank note (I am not quite sure of 
the correct term) for four hundred dollars for 
Ethelred*s expenses. On reaching London I 
shall forward more. My child will reach you 
on Thursday morning. I have been holding 
him back in hopes of getting some trusted friend 
to accompany him on his trip. I would go my- 
self, but could hardly do so without missing the 
first steamer. Be a father, dear reverend sir, to 
my precious darling. E. P. 

“ Such a boy,” the president remarked, 

hardly requires testimonials as to his char- 
acter.” 

“ Not if he’s anything at all like what his 
mother makes him out to be,” answered Father 
Howard. “ Let us hope that he really is a 
swan in the eyes of others than his fond parent. 
Meantime it would be good to write for refer- 
ences. If you have no objection, I shall attend 
to that part of the matter myself.” 

And there was no objection. 

On the next morning, at about the same hour, 
the college porter brought Father Edmunds a 
card. He read with a smile — 

Master Ethelred PRESTo^•, 

Albany Villa, Brighton. 

[At Home Tuesdays.] 


ETHEL RED PRESTON. 


17 


on my road to meet our Little Lord 
Fauntleroy, ” said Father Edmunds as he en- 
countered the vice-president in the hall. 

Father Edmunds was a man whom long ex- 
perience as a disciplinarian and as a superior had 
schooled in the control of his emotions. But 
as he entered the parlor and glanced at the new 
pupil he started back, while a slight exclama- 
tion forced itself from his lips. And he had 
reason for being astonished. 


i8 


ETHELRED PRESTON, 


CHAPTER II. 

IN WHICH THINGS BEGIN TO GO BADLY WITH EARL 
MERIWETHER. 

w HILE Father Edmunds was mastering his 
astonishment in the parlor, matters were 
not proceeding with their wonted smoothness in 
the class of First Academic. There was a frown 
upon the brow of the professor, Mr. Gade. He 
was explaining the sequence of tenses (for the 
fortieth or fiftieth time, be it said), and eying, as 
he spoke, a young gentleman in one of the cor- 
ner seats. If he counted upon catching the 
pupil’s eye he must have been disappointed. 
The boy was scribbling very industriously, and, 
according to all seeming, utterly oblivious of 
everything about him, save the sheet of paper 
across which his pencil was travelling. 

The professor finally paused ; his face turned 
a shade paler, and the ominous frown deepened 
upon his forehead. Every one in the class with 
the exception of the scribbler showed manifest 
signs of uneasiness. 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


19 


This thing has gone too far! ” said Mr. 
Gade, changing his tone of voice. He spoke 
low because he was indignant. At the words, 
Earl Meriwether, the scribbler, looked up in- 
quiringly. 

Yes, Meriwether, I mean you. For five 
minutes I have been explaining the sequence 
of tenses, principally for your benefit. The 
theme you handed in this morning shows me 
that if you ever knew anything about the con- 
struction of a Latin sentence, you have almost 
utterly forgotten it. And now, while I explain, 
you must devote yourself to other work. I 
have been very much disappointed in you of 
late. Your conduct has pained and annoyed 
me. Please leave the room.” 

Mr. Gade seldom spoke in reproof to his 
pupils; but when he did so speak, his admoni- 
tions carried weight. The boys valued his 
kind words, and, loving him, dreaded his dis- 
pleasure above all punishment. There had fallen 
a strained silence upon the room as the professor 
spoke, and one could see by the expressions on 
the students’ faces that the scene was painful 
and unusual. Meriwether himself had first 
given a start when his name was called out, and 
as Mr. Gade had gone on, a look of pained sur- 


20 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


prise had come upon his features. At the 
command to leave the room he turned very red, 
compressed his lips, and putting his hands into 
his pockets, strode out with something of a 
swagger. This air of defiance in the manner of 
his exit confirmed Mr. Gade in the impression 
that the rebuke was well merited. 

Then the class-work proceeded as usual, and 
yet with a difference. The boys were serious 
and subdued in manner, and the little under- 
current of pleasantry, which often exists in a 
class along with perfect order and attention, and 
which certain professors of sunny temperament 
find it to their account to foster, was congealed 
for that day. 

“ It was like the funeral without the carriage 
ride,” said Roger Haines to Edward Devereux 
as they came out together into the playground 
at recess. 

“ So it was,” assented Devereux. A fellow 
doesn’t know how much fun he’s having in our 
class till something goes wrong; and then we 
know it by not having it. But what’s coming 
over Earl Meriwether anyhow these last few 
weeks ? He used to be a great friend of Mr. 
Gade’s, and never handed in a single paper that 
wasn’t among the very best. Yesterday when 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


21 


Mr. Gade passed a lot of us fellows in the yard 
we all took off our hats to him except Earl. 
And the worst of it was that Earl walked right 
past Mr. Gade, and took no notice at all of his 
nod and smile. Our teacher flushed, and we 
could see that he was annoyed. Something has 
gone wrong with Earl. He doesn’t seem to be 
the same boy at all that he used to be. He 
never was very lively; but now he’s positively 
gloomy. He’s the best friend I ever had, and 
it makes me blue to see him going down in this 
way. I am really puzzled about the whole 
thing. He’s the most popular boy in the school 
still, but he’s going to lose his popularity if he 
doesn’t take care.” 

“ I thought there would be a row soon,” said 
Roger. Earl has got to be very negligent in 
his studies, and from being the leader he is now 
getting down to the foot. I don’t think he has 
given a good recitation for the last two or three 
weeks, and I’ve been expecting Mr. Gade to 
call him down this long time.” 

I feel very bad about the whole affair,” 
continued Devereux. “ Earl and I have been 
chums, and besides liking him, I respect him 
more than any boy I ever met. Of late he 
hasn’t been with me. He’s always in the read- 


22 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


ing-room, and doesn’t do anything but read and 
take notes. I have felt like having a good talk 
with him a dozen times, but the chance has 
never offered itself, and I have been too careless 
to put myself to a little trouble.” 

“ You ought to talk to Earl, Ed. If you 
don’t. I’ll do it myself, though I don’t know 
him near as well as you do,” 

“ All right. I’ll do it, though I’m afraid that 
he will hardly be in any humor just now for 
anything I have to say.” 

There he is over near the playroom; catch 
him, and strike while the iron is hot.” 

“ I say, Earl,” said Devereux a moment 
later, as he placed his hand on Earl’s shoulder 
and fell into step with him on the walk running 
beside the playroom, “ what’s the trouble be- 
tween you and Mr. Gade? You used to get 
along so well with him, and now it’s all at sixes 
and sevens between you.” 

Ed paused for an answer; but none came. 
He looked up presently into Earl’s face, and 
then he understood. Earl’s face was quivering 
with emotion, and there was a suspicious moist- 
ure in his eyes. 

“ Oh, I say, Earl, don’t take it so hard,” 
pleaded soft-hearted Ed, ” We all get a scold- 


ETHELRED PRESTON, 


23 


ing now and then, you know, arid I suppose that 
most of us deserve it every time.” 

Do you think I deserved that scolding?” 
asked Earl. 

Since you ask it,” returned Ed, I must 
say I do. All the fellows think the same.” 

Again Earl’s features were convulsed, he 
struggled for a moment, and then, unable longer 
to restrain himself, he broke away from his 
astonished and dismayed companion and, seek- 
ing a retired spot, gave full vent to his emotion. 
This was Earl’s third year at College, and Ed 
Devereux was the first and only boy who had 
ever seen him shed a tear. 

The few minutes of the present recess prom- 
ised to be of importance in the shaping of Earl’s 
life. Matters had seemingly come to a head. 
Earl had been a student at Henryton College 
for two years and a half. During this period he 
had enjoyed the popularity of the boys and the 
respect of the faculty. He was a lad of a some- 
what serious turn of mind, remarkably earnest 
in everything, and very noticeable for his piety. 
He was a Lutheran, and practised his religion 
in a manner that surprised and edified his fellow 
students. Indeed his simple and frank piety 
had often put to shame some of the more negli- 


24 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


gent Catholic boys. His conduct in the chapel 
and at prayers was such that many of his com- 
panions had been as long as a year with him 
before learning that he was not of their religion. 

He won the name of being a deeply religious 
lad early in his first year at Henryton. It hap- 
pened during the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice 
of the Mass, at which, according to the custom 
of Henryton College, all the students assisted. 
The boy next him was behaving rather lightly, 
and several times tried to secure Earl’s atten- 
tion. Earl with his eyes fastened upon his own 
book of devotion refused to recognize his com- 
panion’s advances. After Mass, however, he 
awaited the irreverent youngster outside. 

‘‘ Ed Devereux, I’m going to ask you an 
honest question, and I want an honest answer. 
Will you give it ? ” 

“ Why of course,” returned Ed. 

Do you really believe that Christ is present 
in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar ? ” 

‘Mf I were able. I’d lick the man who said I 
didn’t,” returned tiny Ed, with flashing eyes 
and considerable vehemence. 

“ Well, then, I can’t for the life of me. under- 
stand how you can carry on in the chapel the 
way you do, if you really believe. I’m not a 


ETHELRED PRESTON, 


25 


Catholic myself, and I certainly never will be one ; 
but I try to show reverence in chapel out of re- 
spect for the opinions of the Catholic boys around 
me. I don’t understand your position, Ed.” 

When Ed learned then and there for the first 
time that the boy who sat beside him at services 
was not a Catholic, he started with dismay and 
surprise, and the rebuke humbled him as he 
never had been humbled before. His face 
flushed scarlet. He looked in dumb pitiful dis- 
tress at Earl for a moment, and then returned to 
the chapel. From that hour dated Ed Deve- 
reux’s profound reverence for the Real Pres- 
ence; from that hour dated his love and respect 
for Earl Meriwether, which had gone on increas- 
ing month by month. 

He did not answer Earl’s question, and indeed 
never referred to that conversation but once. 
Then he said: 

“ Earl, when you spoke to me about my 
behavior in the chapel, you said among other 
things that you never intended to become a 
Catholic. Did you really mean that ?” 

Indeed I did,” answered Earl. 

Well, I hope that my disgraceful conduct 
had nothing to do with your intention. It’s 
been bothering me ever since.” 


26 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


That had nothing whatever to do with my 
resolve,” said Earl. 

“ Well, perhaps my conduct along with the 
conduct of some of the other fellows may have 
been the cause. Now you know, Earl, we all 
of us Catholic boys here believe all right; but 
we are young and giddy, I suppose, and don’t 
think. Some of us trifle at times in the chapel, 
without thinking of what we are doing. Some- 
times a boy actually doesn’t know that he is 
fooling. There’s a boy here now who seems to 
be most irreverent in the chapel, and yet I 
know that he prays hard, and all the fellows 
know that he wouldn’t do anything wrong for 
the world. Yet, if you watch him at services, 
you would hardly think him a Catholic. You 

♦ 9 

see — 

” Hold on,” cried Earl, ” 3^ou needn’t ex- 
plain the way some of you fellows carry on: I 
wouldn’t understand any explanation anyhow. 
It wasn’t on that account either that I made my 
resolve. The fact is, I made a promise that I 
would be true to my own religion when I was a 
little boy of seven, nearly eight ^^ears ago.” 

“ You did? ” 

Yes: would you like to hear how it hap- 
pened ? ” 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


27 


‘‘ Indeed I would.” 

It’s a long story, Ed, and you’re the only 
person I’ve ever offered to tell it to.” 

Devereux’s face flushed with genuine pleasure 
at these words. He had come to look up to 
this Lutheran boy with an admiration which 
was made up of reverence and love. Such a 
friendship is rarely inspired. It supposes on 
the part of him who is thus admired a strength 
of character, a sincerity, and a manliness that 
are seldom found in one person. 

‘‘ Nothing would please me better than to 
hear it,” said Ed. 

<3 

It’s a long story, as I said, and not particu- 
larly interesting in itself. I wouldn’t think even 
of telling it to you, only I know and value the 
interest you take in me, and feel sure that you 
will be interested.” 

And with this somewhat awkward introduc- 
tion Earl told his story. 

Now as Earl’s early life has much to do with 
what is to come, I shall tell the reader Meri- 
wether’s history as he related it to Ed, with cer- 
tain details such as the honest boy’s modesty 
forbade him divulge even to his bosom friend. 


28 


ETHELRED PRESTON, 


CHAPTER III 


THE STORY OF EARL. 


j^ARL MERIWETHER was the son of a 
Catholic father ajid a Protestant mother: 
at least that was what the world said. As a 
matter of fact, his father was hardly a Catholic, 
even in the loosest and most strained sense of 
the word. Mr. Meriwether had been baptized 
in a Catholic church; which was the beginning 
of his Catholicity — and the end. Trained in a 
sectarian school, he had contented himself with 
asserting that he was a Catholic because his 
parents were of that faith. In practice he was 
of no religion. Three years after leaving school 
he married an accomplished and devout young 
lady, and Earl was their only child. It was 
shortly after Earl’s birth that Mr. Meriwether 
fell into habits of dissipation. Between him 
and his passions there stood no bar of restraint 
in the shape of religion. To Earl’s mother Mr. 
Meriwether was the embodiment of Catholic 
teaching and practice. She was shocked by his 


ethelrrd ere s ton. 


29 


evil courses, and attributed them to the religion 
which he had never attempted to practise. 
The gentle lady was horrified at the wild ex- 
cesses of her husband. By their fruits you shall 
know them, she argued ; and, in consequence, 
the Catholic Church became to her a name of 
horror and reproach. 

Brooding day after day over the wreckage of 
a life to which, for better or for worse, she had 
irrevocably bound her own, she fell into a 
decline. The end came very soon. Little 
Earl was with her through all these dark days, 
and from the first faint dawn of reason gave an 
attentive ear to his mother’s pious teachings and 
counsels. Upon the child her tender devotion 
and deep religious spirit created a lasting im- 
pression, and his young heart was attuned from 
the first to exalted standards of goodness, such 
as only a tender and pious mother can awaken. 
Insensibly, too, the boy caught something of 
the austere gravity of his mother. He had 
little of what is called light-heartedness. There 
was a seriousness about him which accompanied 
him even in his sports and amusements. He 
seldom laughed. 

Then there came a day when he was sum- 
moned to the bedside of his mother for the last 


30 


ETHELRED PRESTON, 


time. She held him long to her bosom, and, 
after the first passionate, almost incoherent 
greeting of love, she recovered herself, and, in 
terms that had been carefully weighed and 
studied, laid upon him her last injunctions in 
regard to his spiritual welfare. 

And now, my child,” she said finally, “ I 
ask you to give me your solemn word that you 
will be true to your religion — true till we meet 
again in a brighter world.” 

With his arms about his mother’s neck the 
boy sobbed out the words of promise; and they 
came from his heart. 

No more was said. There was a last, tender 
embrace, and then he was taken from the room. 
When he was brought back some hours later, 
the tender hand that had pressed his so recently 
lay still upon the coverlid, and the mild, sweet 
eyes that had beamed love were closed forever, 
while upon the gentle features lay the peace of 
God. 

In accordance with his mother’s desire, Earl 
was placed in the care of her younger sister. 
His father, broken by excesses, shortly followed 
her to the grave. Strangely enough, the 
younger sister — within the year of Mrs. Meri- 
wether’s death — became a convert to the Cath- 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 31 

olic faith. However, she made no endeavors to 
interfere with Earl’s religion, but encouraged 
him in the pious practices which his mother had 
taught him. 

At the age of twelve Earl was sent to Henry- 
ton College, and from his entrance, as has been 
already said, he proved himself to be a thor- 
oughly good boy. A leader in the class, a 
leader in the yard, up to the time of the open- 
ing of the present story, Earl’s record was 
untarnished. Then his troubles had begun. It 
was evident to every one that he was no longer 
the close and conscientious student that he once 
had been. In class his attention flagged ; upon 
the campus he no longer took a leading part in 
the sports and games; in a word, a decided and 
most disappointing change had come to pass. 
Mr. Gade was much concerned. To him his 
class was everything; no wonder, then, that the 
conduct of Earl had wounded him deeply. He 
had intended calling the boy to account pri- 
vately, and was only awaiting a favorable oppor- 
tunity, when Earl’s inattention in class precipi- 
tated matters. The scolding thus given publicly 
had been received in such a way that Mr. Gade 
was deeply mortified. His hold upon Earl, 
thought the professor, was lost forever. Earl 


3 ^ 


ETHELRED PRESTON, 


had gone beyond the reach of his influence. 
The boy, he reasoned, had deliberately thrown 
off the restraints of discipline, and chosen a 
downward path. Earl, to all seeming, had 
made no attempt for the past three weeks to 
conceal his growing dislike of studies. The 
frankness which had characterized him in his 
intercourse with his teacher had been replaced 
by a coldness and reserve which could be inter- 
preted in only one light. 

Mr. Gade, although of a highly nervous dis- 
position, was a man of more than ordinary pru- 
dence and tact. In dealing with his young 
charges he rarely made mistakes of judgment, 
and in the present case, accordingly, he had no 
suspicion that he might possibly be wrong. 
And yet he was in the wrong. Without fault on 
his part, he had misunderstood Earl throughout. 

A few weeks before the opening of this story, 
the college students had made, as was their 
yearly custom, a retreat of three days. The 
exercises were given by a widely known mission- 
ary priest, a man who could thrill, by his elo- 
quence in the pulpit, even those familiar friends 
who in the common intercourse of life recog- 
nized in him as his salient traits a marvellous 
simplicity and lowliness. Earl, partly through 


ETHELRED PRESTON, 


33 


a craving for the light and consolation of 
religion, partly through the desire of hearing a 
man famed for his burning eloquence, attended 
the various instructions; and from the first 
words that fell from the good father’s lips, was 
rapt and fascinated. Earl, at that period, had 
reached the stage of physical development 
when the human passions are wont to awake to 
a dangerous activity, and arise in all their 
strength. Thus far the sweet and untainted 
stream of his innocent life had run on its way 
smooth and uncheckered. But now, and with 
sudden transition, the running was through 
devious and perilous ways. Earl was fright- 
ened ; he dreaded sin as few boys dread it ; and 
yet, do what he might, he saw daily, sometimes 
hourly, its face, not foul and hideous as he 
knew it to be in reality, but tricked out with the 
specious beauties and masked under the entic- 
ing allurements which it knows so well how to 
assume. Sometimes in the solemn watches of 
the night, sometimes in the hours devoted to 
study, now in the intervals between play and 
class, now in the class-room itself, that face of 
sin with its poisonous beauty hovered about him 
and before him, and despite his resistance still 
hovered, still came nearer and nearer. 


34 


ETHELRED PRESTON, 


The day that preceded the beginning of the 
retreat was the most troubled of his life. It was 
a day out of which he came free from serious 
sin, but bruised and bleeding, nevertheless, 
from a long, bitter fight with temptation. He 
went to bed weary and despondent. Though a 
conqueror, poor boy! and in the silence of the 
dormitory, there seemed to sound in his heart a 
voice, You cannot keep it up! Think of it! 
It will be the same fight day after day, hour 
after hour; with this difference, that, as you 
grow older, your passions and temptations shall 
wax stronger. It is impossible for you to keep 
on.” 

It was the voice of the tempter — the lying 
voice which perverts truth in every possible 
way. It was the voice of him who, when he 
cannot conquer the strong soul by direct attack, 
strives to weaken it by discouragement. Next 
to virtue, the devil hates cheerfulness. 

And Earl tried to turn his ear from that voice 
— for he suspected the source from which it 
came — and thus trying, slept. He fell asleep, 
feeling very miserable and unhappy. In that 
place where things are seen, not as they appear, 
but as they really are, I doubt not that this 
unhappy day of Earl’s was regarded as full of 


ETHELRED PRES TON. 35 

beauty and sovereign merit ; and, if his guardian 
angel could have but communicated what he 
knew to the sleeping boy, Earl’s face, dejected 
and troubled even in sleep, would have grown 
radiant with joy. 

When on the following day he heard the 
reverend father depict, with the vividness of the 
practised and eloquent missioner, the hideousness 
of sin, and describe the methods of fighting 
against it; when, above all, he warned his young 
hearers against sadness, and roused them to con- 
fidence, hope, and cheerfulness — Earl was carried 
away with enthusiasm. Every word from the 
father’s lips seemed to be directed to himself; 
every word struck home. At the close of the 
retreat he obtained a personal interview with 
the father, from which he came away at once 
strengthened and troubled: strengthened, for 
he was resolved to fight bravely, to hope confi- 
dently; troubled, for he felt bound, on the one 
hand, to keep true to the promise which he 
had made his mother, and, on the other, bound 
to inquire more closely into the doctrine and 
discipline of the Catholic Church, which ap- 
proved itself to his mind and heart as being the 
true Church of Christ. 

Thus the retreat, while drawing Earl away, 


36 ETHELRED PRESTON, 

for the time being, from the slippery brink of 
sin, had plunged him into a phase of doubt and 
distress, all the more painful that, through a 
natural reticence, he could not bring himself to 
consult or advise with any one. 

Absorbed, then, in these mental trials, he had 
found it exceedingly difficult to fix his attention 
upon the daily affairs of life, and almost impossi- 
ble to give his mind for any length of time to his 
studies. In consequence, his position in class 
changed rapidly ; and he who had in other years 
been the promptest to answer, the quickest to 
learn, was now inattentive, restless, and, at 
times, almost stupid. 

At last came the day when he received, for 
the first time since his coming to college, a 
public rebuke in the class-room. He had been 
struggling hard on that eventful morning to 
pay attention, and, although he was scribbling 
mechanically at the moment of rebuke, he had 
not missed a single word of Mr. Gade’s expla- 
nation. There are some students whose atten- 
tion is at the highest point when they are 
apparently engrossed with something else. 
Earl, at this troublous period, belonged to this 
class. 

When Mr. Gade, fastening his eyes on Earl, 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 37 

said, ‘‘ Yes, Meriwether; I mean you,” the 
boy was shocked. The rebuke was so unex- 
pected, and, as Earl saw the matter, so un- 
deserved, that he left the room with a bitter 
sense of outraged justice. 

Boys are like men. They are prone to iden- 
tify a principle with its exponent; to judge of 
the truth or falsity of a religion by their likes 
or dislikes for those representatives of the creed 
with whom they come in closest contact. 

That settles it,” muttered Earl, as, quiver- 
ing with rage, he paced up and down the 
deserted playground: I’ll never be a Catho- 

lic as long as I live. Til show Mr. Gade that 
he can’t walk over me as he pleases.” 

And he fell into a train of ugly resolutions, 
the wretched outcome of wounded vanity and 
mortified pride. 

Earl, be it remembered, was a good boy; but 
even good boys have the passions of their kind. 
Earl was a reasonable, fair-minded boy, too; 
but even reasonable, fair-minded people are 
sometimes carried away by their feelings. His 
resolution never to become a Catholic was, in 
view of the circumstances, illogical and petu- 
lant ; but it was a strong resolution for all that. 

These interior struggles and feelings Earl did 


38 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


not tell to Eddie Devereux. He gave many of 
the facts set down in this chapter, but omitted 
or unintentionally misinterpreted the underlying 
motives. Eddie in consequence, though he 
now comprehended his friend’s position better, 
was by no means able to understand the exact 
state of the question. After receiving the kind 
sympathy of his best friend, Earl was returning 
to the class-room, still sore and angry, still 
determined to show by his manner how 
aggrieved he was, when Father Howard beck- 
oned him aside. 

Earl, there’s a friend of yours in the 
parlor. ’ ’ 

Who is it, Father?” 

” Did you ever hear of Ethelred Preston ? ’ 

“ Yes, sir; is he here ? I never saw him, but 
I met his mother once. She and my mother 
were school-girls together, and were very inti- 
mate. She seemed to be a very refined lady, 
and she did nothing but talk about Ethelred all 
the time. I suppose he’s a sort of a wax-doll, 
isn’t he ? ” 

” He’s his mamma’s darling! ” And when 
Father Howard had said this, he turned his face 
away so as to conceal a smile. “ Go to the 
parlor, Earl. You must try to take care of 


ETHELRED PRESTON, 


39 


dainty little Ethelred till he feels perfectly at 
home.’' 

Then Earl went directly to the parlor; and 
on facing the newcomer he gave a start, much 
more perceptible than the president’s had been, 
and gurgled forth the gasp of astonishment. 


40 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


CHAPTER IV. 

MASTER ETHELRED PRESTON. 

w E left Father Edmunds rather abruptly, 
and with an exclamation of astonishment 
upon his lips. 

He had counted upon coming face to face 
with a small, delicate, fragile, golden-haired 
child, attired according to the manner of a 
mamma’s darling. Instead of all this he found 
himself facing an overgrown boy, with close- 
cropped sandy hair, large, coarse, round feat- 
ures, and something very like a cast in the left 
eye. 

This was the instantaneous impression which 
caused him the involuntary betrayal of his 
astonishment. A second look embraced further 
and no less interesting details of the newcomer’s 
personal appearance. 

His teeth were large and, as far as they came 
into evidence, complete. They were very much 
in evidence, too; for Master Ethelred wore a 
smile such as nothing but a large mouth and 
much fatuousness could effect. The appearance 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


41 


of his ears, which projected rather boldly from 
the head, caused Father Edmunds to regret that 
the boy’s mother had seen fit to allow her Ethel- 
red to be so closely shorn of his ambrosial locks. 
His nose was small, of an interrogative turn, 
and so much out of proportion to his mouth as 
to give the moon-faced youth a comical expres- 
sion. 

Ethelred was standing; and his pose failed to 
show that he had made any special studies in 
Delsarte. He had braced himself firmly against 
the heavy parlor table; his feet were rather far 
apart, and over his vest his hands held firmly a 
slouchy felt hat, which, on encountering the 
president’s eye, he began to turn about in his 
thick heavy fingers, while at the same time his 
smile, already broad beyond the average, wid- 
ened a trifle, and disclosed teeth which are 
rarely seen by people who are not dentists. 

Ethelred Preston, I believe,” said the 
president. 

The smile vanished like the passing of a flash 
of light. 

Yes,” came the reply, in the tone of which 
the pipe of youth struggled with the lower notes 
of a changing voice, to the manifest disadvan- 
tage of both. 


42 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


Having acquitted himself of this monosyllable, 
Ethelred fastened his eyes upon his hat, and fell 
into the fatuous smile with an instantaneousness 
which rather disconcerted the president. It was 
as though the light had again reappeared. 

I am glad to see you, Ethelred,” continued 
Father Edmunds, holding out his hand. 

Ethelred ceased smiling, and glanced with 
evident distress first at the proffered hand and 
then at his hat. His difficulty, as far as Father 
Edmunds could make it out, was to shake 
hands, and at the same time continue to hold 
the hat unchanged upon his vest. 

Father Edmunds, after an awkward moment, 
took the hat from Ethelred, greatly to the dear 
child’s relief, and laid it on the table. Then 
Ethelred shook hands. 

“ I was under the impression, Ethelred, from 
the tenor of your mother’s letter, and the 
details which I gleaned from it, that you were 
a little boy.” 

Ethelred turned to look at his hat. It was 
still on the table. He grinned at it; then facing 
the president he said: 

No.” 

He seemed to get an inspiration from this 
remark, for he added : 


ETHELRED PRESTOS. 


43 


I was; but I’ve growed.” 

Like a weed ? ” suggested the president, 
with a smile which, though accompanying his 
words, was really evoked by Ethelred’s naive 
explanation. 

Yes,” answered the new Fauntleroy; and 
he added, “ I’ve growed right smart lately.” 

But your mother writes of you as though 
you were a child of twelve or thirteen.” 

I’m fourteen — just.” 

Indeed! One would take you to be six- 
teen, at the very least.” 

Yes,” assented Ethelred, turning towards 
his hat, and giving Father Edmunds an oppor- 
tunity of noticing that his coat was rather loose- 
fitting below the collar. “ But I’ve growed. 
The old woman,” continued the interesting 
youth, “ talks about me same as she used to 
when I was very small. I’ve growed right smart 
lately.” 

“ By the old woman, I take it, you mean your 
mother ? ” 

“ Yes,” assented Ethelred stolidly. 

Why don’t you call her your mother ? ” 

In answer to this, Ethelred looked at his hat 
for a moment, and then, in another burst of 
inspiration, clapped it upon his head. 


44 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


The president gently removed the hat, appar- 
ently to the relief of Ethelred. 

Why do you call her the old woman ? ” he 
persisted. 

Because I always call her the old woman. 
That’s so, so help me.” 

Do you know Earl Meriwether, Ethelred ? ” 

Yes: — that is, the old w my mother 

knows his old — his mother.” 

During the whole of this animated dialogue 
Ethelred had gone from smiles to seriousness 
and from seriousness to smiles. The effect was 
not unlike the turning on and off of a search- 
light. Before speaking he became solemn of 
face, and having delivered his remarks, he 
lapsed into his fatuous grin. For the rest, now 
that his hat was in Father Edmunds’ hand, he 
moved neither to the right nor the left, but 
still braced firmly against the table, with legs 
wide apart, he kept his eyes fastened upon the 
head-gear, which appeared to have some extra- 
ordinary fascination for its owner. 

“ Well, if you come along with me,” said the 
president, “ I shall take you to the prefect of 
studies, to be examined for your class. By the 
way, you are big enough for the senior depart- 
ment; but acting under the impression left me 


ETHELRED PRES TO AT. 


45 


by your mother’s letter of yesterday, I had 
assigned you to the small boys’ division. How- 
ever, as you are but fourteen, the arrangement 
may stand. Now come with me, Ethel- 
red.” 

Ethelred, without changing his position, stood 
gazing intently and smiling upon the hat. 

‘‘ Is there anything else, Ethelred ? ” 

Gimme that hat.” 

Father Edmunds restrained his features very 
well as he returned the valuable article to its 
owner. Ethelred at once put the hat upon his 
head, and then followed Father Edmunds into 
the passage. 

When they arrived at Father Howard’s room, 
Ethelred, before entering after the president, 
carefully laid his hat midway upon the threshold, 
which done, he seemed to be somewhat more at 
his ease. 

Father Howard, this is Ethelred Preston, 
who proves to be a much bigger boy than we 
were led to expect. After you have examined 
him for his class, you might put him in charge 
of Earl Meriwether.” 

“ Are you determined to study hard, my 
boy ?” asked Father Howard, taking Ethelred’s 
hand. 


46 


ETBELRED P RES TON, 


‘‘Yes,” said Ethelred; and he smiled vacantly 
at the Father’s table. 

As the president turned to leave the room, 
the newcomer awoke from his smiling trance, 
and ejaculated, “ Say! ” upon which he began 
fumbling in his inner coat pocket. 

“ There! ” he added, producing a sealed en- 
velope, and tendering it to Father Edmunds, 
“ that’s for you.” 

When the president reached his room, he 
opened the envelope, took out the enclosure, 
and with blended feelings of amusement and 
perplexity read the following: 


To THE President of Henryton College. 

Sir: This letter will introduce to you Master 
Ethelred Preston, a boy of a most estimable 
and cultured family. He is a God-fearing lad, 
of a very pleasing address, and eminently qual- 
ified to enter and adorn any college in the land. 
It is against my will and my advice that he is 
sent to a Catholic school, where, nevertheless, 
I trust that his sweet qualities of heart and his 
excellent talents will be duly recognized and 
appreciated. 

I regret, too, that, removed thus early from 
the refining and elevating influence of home, 
he may possibly lose that happy combination 


ETHELRED PRESTON, 47 

of frankness and urbanity which has thus far 
been the salient trait of his budding character. 

Hoping that he will receive the care and at- 
tention to which he is entitled, and trusting that 
his religious views will not be unduly influenced 
— as he is a most impressionable child — I am, 
Yours respectfully, 

Meredith Sherwin. 

{Pastor St. George s Episcopal Church.^ 


48 


ETHELRED PRESTON'. 


CHAPTER V. 

IN WHICH ETHELRED PROPOSES TO RUN AWAY. 

“W HY, I thought you were a mamma’s dar- 
ling, ” blurted out Earl, as he shook 
hands with Ethelred in the parlor. 

Til bet I ain’t,” returned the gifted new- 
comer. I’ll teach you fellows a trick or two 
before you’re much older. Say, where did you 
get them cuff-buttons ? ” 

“ I bought them,” answered Earl, submitting 
his hand to the artless admirer. 

How much?” 

‘‘ I don’t remember; sixty cents, I believe,” 
“ Will you take a quarter for them ? ” 

I don’t want to sell.” 

I’ll give you thirty cents.” 

Are you really anxious to have them ? ” 

Yes; I am.” 

Well, I’ll make you a present of them.’ 

** Thanks; you’re the kind of a fellow I like 
to meet. You don’t get something for nothing 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


49 


very often nowadays. Can I have them right 
now ? ” 

‘‘ Well, you beat any boy I’ve ever met,” 
laughed Earl. ” You don’t think I’m going to 
run away, do you ? ” 

” No; but you might forget, or change your 
mind. People often do. I’ve been fooled that 
way lots of times. So, if you can give me them 
now — ’ ’ 

” Wait till dinner-time. We go to the wash- 
room just before dinner, and then I can get 
another pair out of my box.” 

And you’ll stick to your promise ? ” 

” Of course,” answered Earl, with a touch of 
annoyance in his voice. 

Meanwhile Ethelred had been surveying Earl’s 
clothes with undisguised interest. His eyes 
finally fixed themselves on Earl’s chest. 

” Got any more neckties like that ? ” con- 
tinued Ethelred, unabashed. 

” No,” said Earl, shortly. ” Have you been 
examined yet for your class ? ” 

” Yes; I’m in Third Commercial.” 

What! ” gasped Earl. ” Haven’t you been 
studying all your life ? ” 

” I guess not. What kind of a school is this 
anyhow ? ” 


50 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


It’s a jail,” said Earl, sorely. 

He was still chafing under the sense of 
wounded justice. It was the first time that he 
had ever been disloyal to his college; and he 
felt a qualm of conscience almost as soon as he 
had uttered the remark. He had spoken on 
impulse, and, now that the complaint had been 
made, he knew that his words were the product 
of spite and not of reason. 

“ So they hold you in tight, do they? ” 

As Ethelred put this question he was carefully 
examining the various articles of bric-a-brac on 
the centre-table. 

Yes: a boy hasn’t much liberty here.” 

“ Well; you’ll see they won’t hold me in 
tight.” 

“ Why, what’ll you do ? ” 

Before answering, Ethelred walked over to 
the door, opened it cautiously, and peeped out 
into the corridor. 

“ Because,” he said, closing the door, and 
advancing dramatically to Earl’s side, “ because 
I’m going for to run away. You don’t catch 
me staying in any jail — not if I know it.” 

Earl was somewhat dismayed. He had not 
intended to encourage his new charge towards a 
step so extraordinary and unusual. Nor was he 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


51 


in a mood courageous enough to retreat from 
the false position into which his comment on 
the college had placed him. In a word, he was 
not himself. 

‘‘ What will your mother do, if you run 
away ? ” he asked, weakly. 

Her! Oh, she’s started for Europe. We’ve 
broke up house. She won’t know the differ- 
ence.” 

” Where will you go, then ? ” 

I have friends — lots of ’em,” said Ethelred, 
darkly. “ All I want is about ten dollars to 
get away on. Can you lend me ten dol- 
lars ? ’ ’ 

“ No. I haven’t that much money. Besides, 
I don’t care about helping you to run away, 
anyhow.” 

‘‘You said the place was like a jail — didn’t 
you If you mean to stand by what you said, 
I don’t see why you’re not willing to help. Are 
you afraid to trust me ? ” Ethelred, as he 
spoke, put on a very belligerent air. 

“ Of course. I’m not afraid. But I haven’t 
ten dollars nor anything like that sum. I’m a 
little short of money just now.” 

“ Well, you could lend me twenty-five cents — 
couldn’t you ? ” 


52 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


“ All right,” said Earl, taking out some 
silver, and selecting a quarter. 

Ethelred literally clutched the silver quarter, 
pocketed it with an appearance of precipitation, 
and then gazed hungrily at the money still re- 
maining in Earl’s fingers. 

” Couldn’t you lend me a little more ? — 
You’ve got lots.” 

Earl could not conceal an expression of annoy- 
ance. By way of answer, he handed Ethelred 
a ten-cent piece and returned the rest of the 
money to his pocket. 

” Oh, come on,” urged the new boy, ” lend 
a feller another quarter, can’t you ? ” 

” Ethelred Preston,” said Earl, looking the 
beggar straight in the eye, ” you’re an out-and- 
out shark.” 

” Throw in another dime, anyhow,” Ethelred 
pleaded, with outstretched palm. 

He might have read disgust In Earl’s very 
emphatic silence; but he did not. 

” You’re a nice friend, Meriwether! I didn’t 
think you’d be so stingy — ” 

Here Ethelred, who had fallen into a whining 
tone, came to a sudden pause. There was 
something in Earl’s flashing eye which cowed 
him. He added: ” Oh, you needn’t get mad ; I 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


53 


was only fooling. All I wanted of you was a 
quarter or so. I reckon I can get the rest of 
the money from some of the other fellers.” 

You’re pretty cool for a newcomer. Sup- 
pose we come outside and take a look at the 
place.” 

“ All right; nothing like business. I want to 
know where I am. Say, you’ll get me a chance 
to get to know the fellows” — Ethelred pro- 
nounced it ” fellers ” — ” before I run away to- 
morrow night ? ” 

“ Of course,” answered Earl, as he threw 
open the parlor door, and the two walked out 
into the corridor; there’s a half holiday to-day, 
as it’s Thursday; and I’ll introduce you all 
around.” 

“ Many boys here, Meriwether ? ” 

‘‘ There are about sixty in our division, and 
nearly one hundred and fifty in the senior 
division.” 

” That so ? And where do they all come 
from ? ” 

Pretty much from every State in the Union, 
even from California. Besides, there are several 
from Mexico, and a few from South America.” 

“ I suppose most of them here are a pretty 
green lot,” continued Ethelred in a loud voice. 


54 


ETHELRED PRESTON, 


There were five or six of the senior students 
in the corridor, who happened to catch this 
remark. Then they made some remarks in 
return, which, luckily for Ethelred’s peace of 
mind, the newcomer did not hear. Before 
dinner-time Ethelred’s artless speech had been 
rehearsed to nearly every student, large and 
small, in Henryton College. These things spread 
very quickly in boarding-schools. 

Earl meantime answered ironically: 

Oh, yes; boarding-school boys are noted for 
their greenness.” 

The irony was lost upon his companion. 

“ And are the fellows tolerably flush just 
now? ” queried Ethelred in a whisper. 

“ I can’t say. I’m sure; I don’t ask my 
friends how much money they carry.” 

“ But you see I want to borrow some money 
to get away on. I ain’t no fool. You don’t 
catch me running away with nothing in my 
pockets. 

“ There! What do you think of that? ” cried 
Earl, forgetting his vexations and troubles in a 
burst of admiration, as he and his companion 
came out upon the steps which commanded a 
view of the playground and its environs. 

It was a sight to win enthusiasm from any one 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


55 


whose eyes were alive to the beauty of scenery. 
Before them stretched the cheerful playground, 
level, unbroken, and shaded at the lower end by 
a row of noble oaks. To the right and left of 
the two boys standing on the steps maples 
formed its boundaries on either side, and back 
of these trees, beautiful even in their wintry 
bareness, lay two stretches of luxuriant lawn, 
still quite green despite midwinter, whither, with 
permission of the prefect, the small boy de- 
lighted to resort in the short recesses and the 
intervals between their games. To the west 
the lawn was bounded by a stone wall some five 
feet in height; to the east it was cut off from 
the flower-garden of the college by a fence of 
strong oak palings. Beyond the growth of oaks 
at the lower end could be seen, here and there, 
the spires of several village church-steeples ; 
further still many a dainty cottage among the 
vine-clad hills which stretched away as far as 
the eye could see; whilst between the steeples 
that gleamed in the sunlight and the hills 
beyond lay glittering and dimpling and changing 
the noble curve of one of America’s most beau- 
tiful rivers. 

Back of the garden stood the infirmary, an 
ancient building hallowed for its traditions; over 


56 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


it crept the ivy in its rich-tinted winter livery. 
It was an excellent playground, framed in as 
exquisite a setting of scenery as boy or man 
could desire. 

“ Isn’t that beautiful ! ” ejaculated Earl. 
“ Just look at the river.” 

“ It looks like silver, doesn’t it ? ” com- 
mented the poetic Ethelred. “ Say, you won’t 
tell that I’m going to run away, will you ? ” 

“ It’s none of my business; I think, though, 
that if you wait long enough you may change 
your mind. Most of the boys here like the 
place. I used to like it myself till lately. But 
things have changed. We’ll go over to the 
stone wall, and take a look at the village if you 
like.” 

“ All right, Earl. The old woman says 
you’re not a Catholic.” 

The old woman.” 

” You mean your mother, do you ? No, I’m 
not a Catholic, and I never will be one.” 

‘‘ That’s right,” said Ethelred, with some 
enthusiasm; “ I hate Catholics myself. They 
are a narrer set and the enemies of our public 
institootions. They are ridden by priests, who 
are most ignorant men, and they would trample 


ETHELRED PRESTON-. 


57 


in the dust the starry flag for which our fathers 
bled and suffered, and under which Liberty 
smiles upon a rejoonated world. No sir,” he 
added, dropping from what was evidently a 
quotation to his usual elegant speech, “ you 
don’t catch me attending at a school where I am 
thrown in with Catholics.” 

You’re talking nonsense,” answered Earl 
indignantly. “ The Catholics are not enemies 
of our public institutions. Who told you that 
they would trample on our flag? They don’t go 
round parading their patriotism without rhyme 
or reason like a lot of hypocrites who are not 
Americans at all. If shouting for the American 
flag counts, the Catholics would not be at all 
comparable to some people in America; but 
when it comes to fighting for the flag the 
shouters go to Canada and the Catholics take 
the field. The idea of talking about not 

going with Catholic boys. The boys here are 
gentlemen.” 

Aw! I thought you were not a Catholic.” 

” I’m not. But my best friends are Catholics, 
and my teachers have been all Catholics, and I’m 
not such a fool as to believe what a lot of igno- 
ramuses say against people whom I know per- 
sonally. ” 


58 


ETHELRED PRES TORT, 


“ They’re idolaters,” continued Ethelred; 
and — hello! what’s this ? ” 

They had reached the stone wall on the east- 
ern side. It rose about four feet and a half 
above the level of the playground, but on 
glancing over it Ethelred was astonished to find 
that it went down sheer to a depth of thirty 
feet. Below them lay the northern end of the 
town. 

We’re up pretty high, you see,” explained 
Earl. “ It’s the same at the lower end of the 
yard : the wall there goes down about forty feet, 
and below it is another part of Henryton. The 
part of the town we see from the steps is the 
high part near the river. Our college was built 
on the top of a hill, and now it’s pretty hard 
work to get down to the village. Some of the 
large boys tried it this year, but they got 
caught.” 

“ How can a fellow get out of this place, so 
as to catch the train down there at the depot ? ” 
By the porter’s lodge.” 

Yes; but won’t he be noticed ? ” 

Of course; if you want to steal out, you 
might drop down over this wall,” suggested 
Earl, with a twinkle. 

Thus the conversation drifted on, as the two 


ETHELRED PRES7'0N’. 59 

boys made a leisurely examination of the 
premises, so that when the bell rang for the end 
of studies, Ethelred had obtained some few 
ideas on college life, of which he seemed to 
know very little, and had been shown the vari- 
ous nooks and corners of the yard, the play- 
room, the gymnasium, and the candy-shop. 
This latter place aroused his enthusiasm. He 
inquired eagerly into the prices of the various 
wares, and was particularly anxious to learn the 
average amount of sales made in a month, a 
point on which Earl was unable to inform 
him. 

Why, what small fellers they are! ” ex- 
claimed the new-comer as the junior students 
came flocking from the study-hall into the yard. 

That’s what they’re expected to be,” said 
Earl. This is the Junior Division, you know. 
You’re the biggest boy on this side, I think.” 

I can lick any boy here,” said the modest 
youth, surveying the entire division with the 
eye of scorn. 

No doubt,” answered Earl, dryly. 

Why most of them are in knickerbockers, 
and a lot of them have baby collars.” 

“ Yes; they are dressed the way boys of their 
age are usually dressed. How would you 


6o 


ETHELRED PRES TORT. 


expect them to dress ? Wear their pants m 
their boots, and carry bowie knives ? ” 

While the two were thus commenting on the 
appearance of their schoolmates, Devereux and 
Haines came strolling past "them arm in arm. 
They had heard a part of Ethelred’s com- 
ments. 

“ Come over here, Ed and Roger,” called 
Earl; I want to introduce you to Ethelred 
Preston.” 

“ What greenies they are,” whispered the 
knowing Ethelred in Earl’s ear, as the two 
advanced, smiling, to take his hand and bid him 
welcome. He had intended to couch this ani- 
madversion in a whisper, but his voice, as has 
been said, was in the rudest period of transition, 
and the whisper was loud enough to be heard 
by Devereux, the wag of the small yard. 

Eddie had already formed his opinion of the 
new-comer. Ethelred with his hat perched on 
the back of his head, his arms akimbo, and his 
mouth somewhat open, looked at once confident 
and countrified — a combination which, to the 
small boy who has been for some time at board- 
ing school, invites teasing on sight. 

It’s a real pleasure to me to meet you/* 
said Ed, with a smile and a twinkle. ‘‘ Are 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 6i 

you recovered from your grief at leaving the 
dear ones at home? ” 

‘M’m not a milksop,” returned Ethelred, 
loftily. 

‘‘ No; neither am I. My name is Ed Deve- 
reux and this fellow is Roger Haines. You 
heard of Webster’s reply to Haynes, didn’t you? ” 

“ No; I didn’t.” 

You don’t say! Well Roger Haines, though 
he spells his name somewhat differently, is the 
uncle of Haynes, the great orator, and his 
grandfather signed the declaration of independ- 
ence with a blue lead pencil.” 

“ What did he do that for ? ” 

Sign the declaration ? ” asked Ed, suavely, 
while Roger and Earl were struggling to keep 
their countenances: Why, he signed it for his 

health, and he used a blue pencil because he 
had been brought up that way.” 

Ethelred glared at Devereux, whose pretty 
face was all suavity. 

Has Earl shown you the grounds ? ” con- 
tinued Ed. 

Yes; he’s showed me most everything.” 

Did he call your attention to the associa- 
tions which link this place with the dead and 
buried past ? ” 


62 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


“ Do you mean a life insurance company ? ” 

Hereat Roger exploded, and Earl turned 
away his face. 

“ What are you laughing at ? — confound 
you,” roared Ethelred. 

“He was laughing at what I said about the 
past,” explained Ed. “It is dead, but not 
buried. But to be serious: if I were you I 
wouldn’t lean so heavily against that tree.” 

“ Why not?” 

Ethelred had braced himself against a large 
and venerable oak. At Ed’s words he straight- 
ened up with no little precipitation, and turned 
to look at the huge trunk. 

“ Because,” answered Ed, “ that is the very 
tree to which George Washington tied his horse, 
when he came visiting here.” 

“ Is that so ?” 

“ Oh, very much so indeed. Now just come 
down this way,” said Ed, moving towards the 
wall at the lower end. “You see that large 
stone standing a little above the line of the 
others in the wall ? ” 

“ Yes.” 

“Come on, and get near, so that you can 
touch it with your hands. You needn’t take off 
your hats, boys: the weather is turning cold. 


ETHELRED PRESTOET. 63 

Now this stone is the most precious relic we’ve 
got.” 

” I don’t believe in relics,” growled Ethelred, 
with a slight upward turn of his tip-tilted nose. 

” You mean in the Catholic sense, I suppose. 
Catholics honor the bones and garments, and 
the things which belong to those of their dead 
who were particularly good and holy; but some 
very fine people who are not Catholics think 
they are very foolish.” 

” That’s so,” said Ethelred, heartily. 

” But Protestants don’t mind honoring the 
remains of dead people, provided that those 
people were great and famous in the world’s 
eyes. For instance, they’ll travel far to see and 
honor a sword worn by Washington ; and if they 
owned it, they’d put it in a glass case. But 
they wouldn’t care about looking at a bishop’s 
crook to show it reverence, not even if the 
bishop were the holiest man^that ever lived.” 

guess that’s about the size of it,” returned 
Ethelred, thoughtfully. He did not quite catch 
the drift of Eddie’s remarks, and so, resolving to 
change the subject, and return to the main 
question, he continued: “But what about this 
stone ? ” 

“ It’s a great relic, as I was saying. You 


64 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


see that place on top where it’s so worn. It is 
worn by the kisses which patriotic Americans 
have given it.” 

“What is it?” urged Ethelred, becoming 
really interested. 

“ It’s the stone on which sat for over two 
hours, by actual count, the servant of Benedict 
Arnold, while his master was betraying his 
country. If you like, you may kiss it, but don’t 
make too much noise about it.” 

Ethelred gazed at the stone with an air of 
stupid uncertainty upon his face. 

“ Better take off your hat, if you want to kiss 
it,” suggested Ed. 

When Ethelred uncovered and leaned over to 
press his lips upon the slab, the boys broke into 
a roar of laughter. 

Ethelred did not kiss the stone. He turned 
round, and his face was flushed with anger, 
while there was a look in his eyes that should 
have petrified Devereux. 

But Ed went on laughing, while his com- 
panions kept him company. Haines was act- 
ually doubled up. Of the three laughers, Earl 
was the only one who preserved any semblance 
of self-control. 

Then Ethelred gave utterance to some very 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


65 


Ugly words, words which do not sound pleas- 
antly to the refined ear, and which have not, 
very fortunately, found their way into even the 
most ambitious dictionaries. Happily the laugh- 
ing trio did not hear them. In fact, Earl was 
the only one who was watching Ethelred. And 
it was good that he was, for with a last oath, 
Ethelred made a dash at Ed with the evident 
intent of knocking him down. 

Earl sprang forward, and caught the clenched 
fist raised to strike his friend. 

With more language of the street, Ethelred 
turned upon Earl. 

“ I’ll do you up,” he shouted. 

But here the other two came to the rescue, 
and the belligerent new-comer was a pris- 
oner. 

You’re afraid to fight me,” he foamed. 
” You’re a coward,” he added, addressing him- 
self to Devereux, ” and I’ll thrash the life out 
of you.” 

” Do you really want to fight ? ” asked Ed. 

You can just bet your life I do,” howled 
the dear child. 

“ Am I to understand that you challenge me 
to a fight ? ” 

” Let me at him,” screamed the pride of his 


66 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


mother, struggling to break loose from Roger 
and Earl. 

“ Hold on; keep quiet,” said Ed. “ I am 
perfectly willing to fight with you according to 
college rules. If you promise not to rush at 
me, they’ll let you loose, and then we can 
arrange the terms.” 

” Oh, if you’re willing to fight. I’ll promise. 
I’m going to teach you a lesson.” 

” Let him loose, boys. Well, to begin with, 
we’ll fight with gloves — with boxing-gloves, 
in the gymnasium. According to rules here, 
there’s to be no clinching, but it must be boxing 
all through. Haines and Meriwether will be 
referees and time-keepers, if you have no objec- 
tion; and we’ll have it out after dinner.” 

” Can’t I catch hold of you, and smash you 
on the ground, and wipe up the earth with 
you ? ” 

” Not much; I shouldn’t like that at all. 
Besides it’s vulgar. That’s the way alley rats 
fight.” 

” You mean to say I’m an alley rat ? ” 

” Of course not. Well, we’d better go to the 
wash-room, boys, if we want to get a wash be- 
fore dinner. By the way, Ethelred, don’t talk 
about a fight after dinner. Around here we call 


ETHELRED PRESTON, . 67 

it a boxing contest. If you call it a fight, the 
boys will laugh at you.” 

“ I say,” said Ethelred to Earl on the way to 
the wash-room, you haven’t forgot about 
them cuff-buttons, have you ? ” 


68 


ETHELRED PRESTON, 


CHAPTER VI. 

ETHELRED PUTS ON THE BOXING-GLOVES. 

JT cannot have escaped the observation of the 
reader that Master Ethelred’s carriage and 
language before the students were quite different 
from those which distinguished him in his inter- 
view with the president and vice-president of 
Henryton. In the company of the students he 
was easy, but not elegant; in the presence of the 
faculty he was neither, while his smile was 
actually a horror to the eye, and a trial to the 
nerves. This smile was Ethelred’s idea of 
‘^company” manners. 

In recording the various pearls of wisdom 
which, in the course of this narrative, are to fall 
from Ethelred’s lips, the writer takes the liberty 
of putting down most of Ethelred’s words, not 
as the charming new-comer actually pronounced 
them, but as he would have pronounced them 
had he been better acquainted with the preju- 
dices of educated men. The writer also softens, 
on occasion, the slang, the provincialisms, and 


ETHELKED PRESTON. 69 

the variations from received idiom which Ethel- 
red, throughout his interesting college career, 
let fall with prodigal and artless profusion. 

Had Father Edmunds, president of Henryton 
College, witnessed Earl and Ethelred’s meeting, 
doubtless he would have been puzzled extremely. 
Even as it was, he was at a loss to account for 
what little he had seen. In the experiences of 
long years given to college work he had met 
with not a few rude boys whose parents were of 
ordinary refinement; but in every case, there 
was always to be discovered in these lads some 
evidence of their home-training. The case of 
Ethelred seemed to stand alone. The boy in 
look, in gesture, in carriage, in language was a 
boor. There was nothing, so far as externals 
went, to show that he had known a refined and 
loving mother’s care, nothing which would lead 
one to suppose that he had ever before entered 
a parlor. 

In the vice-president’s room, as Father O’Neil 
had subsequently deposed to the president, 
Ethelred had gone on smiling in the same silly 
way. When he had no answer, he smiled ; be- 
fore answering, he smiled ; after answering, he 
smiled again; then da capo. The interview 
over, he seemed to find it impossible to leave 


70 ETHELRED PRESTON. 

the room. However, the student who does not 
know how and when to bow himself out is to be 
found not infrequently among those who make 
some pretensions to manners. 

If anything, a new complication was added 
to the mystery of Master Ethelred’s want of 
politeness by the letter from the boy’s pastor, 
who, as we have seen, enlarged upon Ethelred’s 
sweetness and nobility. Against the witness of 
pastor and mother was the boy himself. 

While Father Edmunds sits in his study, turn- 
ing over all these things, there comes by the 
noon mail another letter, which satisfies him 
that the problem is not insoluble. 

Mayor’s Office, 

Brighton, January 28, 189-. 

Reverend Edmund Edmunds. 

Dear Sir: Mrs. Preston has requested me to 
send you a word of recommendation in regard 
to her only child now intrusted to your charge. 
I have to say, he is a good boy, will appreciate 
kind treatment, and is of excellent talents. 

I feel bound to tell you, however, that he left 
for your school in a fret, and a very rebellious 
mood. Some of the boys here have told him 
dreadful stories of Catholic schools, and, besides, 
he does not want to leave his mother. He 
threatened to run away before leaving home; so 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 71 

keep an eye on him. Once he feels at home, 
you will find him a good, docile boy. 

Yours truly, 

James Hickson Dodge, 

Mayor of Brighton. 

Ah,” reflected the president, ” this explains 
much, if it does not cover the whole case. For 
all I know, the boy, while in my presence, may 
have been looking to see whether I wore hoofs. 
No wonder his manners were so poor. That 
hideous smile of his must have come from pure 
nervousness. Coming here in such a frame of 
mind, it is but natural that he should show the 
rough corners of his character. Well, I will not 
judge him yet.” 

And he at once went to the vice-president’s 
room to hand him the mayor’s letter. 

In the small boys’ dining-hall, meantime, 
Ethelred was assigned a seat at the table over 
which Earl Meriwether presided. A whisper 
had gone round among the lads in the wash- 
room, that the new-comer was his mamma’s dar- 
ling, and at once he was christened ‘‘ Darl- 
ing.” 

Blessed with a very good appetite, Ethelred 
was rather original in his methods of satisfying 
it. If he wanted something, he stood up and 


72 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


reached for it, and his eagerness in getting the 
food which he desired was artlessly exhibited. 

Hurry up with that potato-dish, can’t 
you ? ” he growled at his neighbor, Peter Lane, 
a tiny, weazen-faced youth, with small, bright 
eyes. 

Say ‘ please,’ ” answered Peter, holding 
back the dish and gazing up pertly into the big 
fellow’s face. 

Armed with his fork, the Darling reached for 
ward and stabbed a potato. 

“ Oh-h-h-h! ” came a chorus of mock horror 
from eight of the ten lads seated around the 
table. Their groaning was cut short by the 
ringing of a small hand-bell. 

Paying no attention to the sound, the Darling 
bellowed out, “ My meals is paid for.” A 
silence had fallen upon the refectory at the 
bell’s tinkle, and this speech fell upon over one 
hundred and twenty merry ears, the owners of 
which at once broke into a jolly laugh. 

“ Sh! ” hissed Earl in the Darling’s ear. 
” Look over there.” 

Ethelred, who had just stabbed another 
potato with his fork, turned and saw the prefect, 
who was standing beside the reader’s desk, gaz- 
ing at him with a countenance of disapproval. 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


73 


On catching the boy’s eye, the prefect put his 
finger to his lip. 

Can’t we talk, Earl?” he croaked — the 
nearest thing to a whisper within the range of 
his voice. 

No; that boy on the stand over there is 
going to read. We’re supposed to listen while 
we eat.” 

” ‘ The Badgers of Belmont,’ by Maurice 
Francis Egan,” cried the reader. 

I’ve seen badgers in a menagerie,” croaked 
the Darling to Earl. “ Have you ever — ” 

‘‘ Sh! ” hissed Earl, who, in common with all 
the youngsters, was deeply interested in the 
fates and fortunes of the jolly little Badgers. 

Luckily for Ethelred he was hungry; so, con- 
senting to hold his tongue provisionally, he 
addressed himself to the contents of his plate, 
and for the most part bolted his food. When 
he wanted anything, he reached for it, or, if 
that were out of the question, he got up from 
his chair and went for it. This latter perform- 
ance happened three different times before the 
prefect whispered something into his ear. 
Thereafter he would nudge his neighbor when 
he desired anything, and having thus secured 
his attention, would point gravely with his knife 


74 ^ THELRED PRES TON. 

or fork, as was more convenient, at the dish 
which he then happened to want. Thus far, in 
his college career of a few hours, he had done 
nothing to secure the respect of any one. 

On finishing his meal, which, considering his 
hearty appetite, he accomplished with a prompt- 
ness and despatch wonderful to behold, he put 
a toothpick into his mouth and employed the 
remaining time spent in the dining-hall in ex- 
amining with lively satisfaction the pair of cuff- 
buttons which Earl had given him. 

‘‘ Mr. Conway,” said Ed Devereux to the 
second prefect, after dinner, ‘‘ we’re going to 
have a little fun in the gymnasium. Darling — 
that is Ethelred Preston, wanted to fight me, 
and I told him Td do it with boxing-gloves. 
There will be two fellows to see we don’t clinch, 
and so there’ll be no harm done. It will be an 
ordinary boxing-match. The fun of it is, that 
the Darling thinks it a regular fight to a finish.” 

As Eddie, a moment latq^, entered the gym- 
nasium, he glanced about with a flush of pleas- 
ure upon a scene that was almost picturesque. 
The centre of the gymnasium was shut off from 
view by a circle of boys. Above them, upon 
trapeze and ladder and horizontal bar, were 
perched the more restless. Within the ring 


E THELRED pres TON'. 7 5 

were Earl and Roger Haines, engaged in dressing 
the Darling for the contest. 

Roger took the liberty of feeling Ethelred’s 
muscles. He gasped with affected astonish- 
ment. 

“ Oh, what a biceps! ” he cried. Then one 
by one, and in perfect order, the young gentle- 
men who had formed the ring advanced and 
touched, with exaggerated reverence, the Dar- 
ling’s arm. 

He doesn’t eat potatoes by the forkful for 
nothing,” piped Peter from his perch on the 
trapeze. 

Ethelred, who had been strutting about like a 
fighting-cock, and receiving these attentions with 
ridiculous complacency, flushed angrily at the 
remark. 

‘‘ You little fool!” he exclaimed, above the 
laughter caused by Peter’s remark, I’ll pay 
you back for this before night.” 

Go on, and put on your gloves,” said Deve- 
reux. “ Say, boys,” he whispered to two or 
three, pass round the word to make the circle 
wider and give me lots of room, just as soon as 
we put up our hands.” 

Some delay was occasioned by the unsuccess- 
ful attempt of the Darling, at the suggestion of 


76 E THELRED PRES TON, 

Roger Haines, to turn his gloves inside out 
before putting them on. 

Roger grinned, and slipping over to Ed, whis- 
pered, He couldn’t tell a boxing-glove from 
an air-pump. Just keep him away from you 
and there’ll be no trouble.” 

At length the two were ready, and stepped 
into the ring — Ed small, light, wiry; the Dar- 
ling heavy, ungainly, three inches taller, and at 
least thirty pounds heavier. 

The two shook hands, and took position. 

Ready! ” cried Earl. “ Go.” 

Forthwith, putting his head down, Ethelred’s 
hands began to work like the arms of a windmill, 
and his blows came raining continuously upon 
the very place where Eddy’s merry face had 
been when he directed them. But Eddie’s feet 
were quicker than the Darling’s arms: he was 
dancing what looked very like a jig, and at the 
same time warding off the blows with an ease 
which indicated the practised boxer. For two 
minutes the rain beat, for two minutes the 
dancer danced. Then suddenly a slight arm 
shot through Ethelred’s guard, and a very soft 
glove came in contact with Ethelred’s nose. It 
did not hurt; but it roused the enthusiasm of 
the boys and the Darling’s anger. The rain 


ETHELRED PRESTON, 77 

became fiercer than ever, while Eddie faster 
than ever danced round and round the ring; but 
it was a rain which did not fall on the ground 
which it was intended to reach. So far as the 
Darling’s intentions were concerned the rain was 
a drought. Just before the end of the three 
minutes, the tiny right arm shot out again, and 
the glove touched the same spot for the second 
time. On this occasion it hurt just the least 
little bit. Time was called, finding Ed smiling 
radiantly, Ethelred breathing heavily. 

“ You don’t fight fair,” panted the latter. 
“ Why don’t you stand still?” 

And wait till you hit me ? ” 

Yes; but just wait till next round. I’ll 
learn you a lesson. You’ll know who you’re 
talking to next time.” 

To Mamma’s Darling,” sang out Peter from 
on high. 

In the next round the rain did not fall quite 
so heavily. Ethelred’s animation seemed to have 
been transferred from his arms to his breathing, 
which had become very heavy and very rapid, 
and the light hand found Ethelred’s nose accu- 
rately three times out of five attempts. Then 
the Darling attempted to clinch, but was 
promptly restrained by the referees. In the 


yS ETHELRED PRESTOl^, 

third minute of this round, Eddie struck out 
with unusual vivacity. 

“ Time — blood! ” called out Haines. “ That 
ends it,” added Earl. “ In our contests here, 
all we want is blood, and when we get that 
we’re satisfied. Ethelred, you’re beaten.” 

I’ve been tricked! ” growled Ethelred, whose 
nose-bleeding had been of the most transient 
character. “You don’t call that sort of thing 
a fight, do you ? ” 

“ Of course not,” assented Earl. “ It’s a 
contest ; we don’t fight ; and you’ve got the 
worst of it. Now shake hands with Devereux.” 

“ No; I won’t.” 

“ Oh-h-h-h! ” cried the crowd, in mock horror. 

Shamed into submission, Ethelred shook 
hands, and hurried from the room into the yard. 

As events proved, it would, in all probability, 
have been better for him had he remained in 
the gymnasium. 


ETHELRED PRESTON, 


79 


CHAPTER VII. 

ETHELRED IN THE FRYING-PAN. 

W HEN Ethelred entered the yard, it was 
deserted. He shivered; for the change 
from the warm, comfortable gymnasium to the 
northerly breeze without is likely to be appreci- 
ated by one who has just come forth from a box- 
ing-contest. Under other circumstances, he 
might have been tempted to return; but just 
now he wanted a little solitude, for he was be- 
ginning to fancy that the boys had been playing 
upon him. However, he was not dismayed. 
His turn was to come yet. As he had intimated 
publicly on several distinct occasions, he would 
teach these college boys that he could not be 
imposed upon. 

While walking up and down the yard, he 
counted his money. 

Two dollars and eighty-five cents,” he said. 
‘‘ That’s good for a beginning. I’ll have ten 
dollars by to-morrow noon.” 

Returning the money to his pocket, he walked 


So 


ETHELRED PREsTOM. 


towards that end of the yard which gave a view 
of the Senior Division’s play-grounds. 

Ten or twelve large boys were standing at the 
boundaries nearest him. They returned his sur- 
vey with considerable interest, and held a whis- 
pered consultation. 

Ethelred, after gazing at the group for a 
moment, thought well to step over and have a 
talk. 

‘‘ Look a-here,” he began. I notice that 
some of you chaps ain’t any bigger than me. 
How is it that you fellows are in the big yard, 
and me in the little ? ” 

“ Professor Salvini,” said the smallest student 
in the group, as he turned towards a serious- 
faced young man with a slight mustache, “ per- 
haps you can explain this. Are you aware that 
this new-comer has been put in the small yard ? ” 

The person addressed as Professor Salvini was 
Edward Land, a student of Philosophy. He 
combined the dignity of a professor with a 
student’s love of fun. Stroking his mustache, 
and eying Ethelred very sternly, he said in a 
solemn baritone: 

Your name, my son ? ” 

“ Ethelred Preston.” 

‘‘ How long is it since you were born ? ” 


ETHELRED PRESTON, 8 1 

Excuse me, professor,” put in the first 
speaker, “ I wish to call Professor Petersol.” 
And, before turning upon his heel, he raised his 
hat with great reverence. 

I’m near sixteen, if that’s what you mean,” 
answered Ethelred, relapsing into the smile 
which had unnerved the president. 

‘‘ See here, don’t laugh unless I tell you. 
Have you got your baptismal certificate about 
you? ” 

‘‘ No,” answered Ethelred, whose face was 
now very grave. 

Well, let that pass. What’s your name ? ” 

Ethelred Preston.” 

Let me see,” mused Professor Salvini, tak- 
ing out a note-book. Oh, yes, you came here 
to-day. The president received you, I believe. 
Who told you to go into the junior division ? ” 

The president and the vice-president 
both.” 

There,” exclaimed the professor, with much 
vehemence, addressing the solemn and attentive 
crowd about him. “ Those two are always inter- 
fering with my authority. Ethelred Preston, 
why didn’t you come to me ? ” 

“ I — I didn’t know.” 

‘‘ But you should have known, sir. Ah, here 


82 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


comes Professor Petersol. I shall have to confer 
with him.” 

Accompanied by the boy who had recently 
left the group, there now approached a tall, 
thin, cadaverous young man who could not have 
been more than twenty. His face was very 
serious and solemn. As he came near, all the 
boys raised their hats. 

“We can never have perfect discipline in this 
college,” he said, in strong, resolute tones, “ till 
the president and vice-president learn their 
places. Where is the new-comer ? ” 

“ Here he is, sir.” “ This is the fellow, sir,” 
came the chorus from the bystanders. 

Professor Petersol folded his arms, threw his 
head back, and said: 

“ Let him be presented.” 

“ Professor Petersol,” said Professor Salvini, 
“ allow me to introduce you to Ethelred Stamp- 
ton.” 

“ It’s Preston, sir,” suggested one of the 
group. 

“ That,” returned Professor Salvini, “ remains 
to be proved. As the boy has no baptismal 
record, and as, on the other hand, the difference 
between ‘ pressed on’ and ‘ stamped on’ is practi- 
cally nothing, at least from the point of view of 




ETHELRED PRESTON. 83 

a football player, I shall stick to my first intro- 
duction, and repeat. Professor Petersol, allow 
me to irftroduce you to Ethelred Stampton.” 

With his head still high in the air, his arms 
folded, the professor looked down from his lofty 
height upon Ethelred. Ethelred looked up and 
grinned. 

“ Take off your hat, sir,” roared Professor 
Petersol. “ Never dare to look me in the eye 
with your hat on. What business,” he con- 
tinued when Ethelred had removed his hat with 
a little precipitation, “ have you over in the 
junior division? ” 

“ I was sent there by the president and vice- 
president.” 

“ Say ‘sir' when you address me,” com- 
manded Professor Petersol. “ The manners of 
the rising generation are simply deplorable.” 

Some members of the group were beginning 
to snicker. 

“ Boys! ” continued Professor Petersol, “ what 
do you mean by standing around when I am 
conducting an examination ? Get away from 
here at once.” 

The students addressed had nothing for it 
but to go away. They went very unwillingly. 

“ And I say, James Ellis,” cried out the pro- 


84 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


fessor to one of the last of the group, “ I’ll hear 
your one hundred lines of memory lesson after I 
have done with this young man. Smoking on 
the sly must stop in this college.’’ 

Now James Ellis was a member of the grad- 
uating class, prefect of the sodality, and a 
student who had never received lines since his 
entrance at college; whereas the young man 
who, for the time being, was addressed as Pro- 
fessor Petersol, had just been called away from 
the memorizing of lines to attend to Ethelred. 
The professor’s remarks to Ellis were too much 
for the departing crowd; and if Ethelred had 
not been dazed by Petersol’s magnificent 
assumption of authority, he might have per- 
ceived that he was being made the victim of a 
new practical joke. 

“ Professor Petersol,” resumed Professor Sal- 
vini, “ don’t you think our young friend should 
be placed in the senior division ? ” 

“ Assuredly; write out an order on the presi- 
dent to that effect, while I question the youth 
further. Boy, in what class were you placed ? ” 
‘‘ In the Third Commercial.” 

“ Put on your hat, my son; the weather is a 
trifle keen. But think of your being put in the 
Third Commercial! Who examined you ?” 




ETHELRED PRESTON. 


85 


'' Father Howard.” 

“ Absurd,” put in Professor Salvini. “ We 
must discharge Father Howard; and I’m begin- 
ning to fear that the president must go too.” 

How much time did he spend in examining 
you ? ” resumed Professor Petersol. 

About ten minutes.” 

Monstrous! Why doesn’t the vice-president 
attend to his own business, which he doesn’t 
know, and send boys to be examined to me? 
He should have taken at least four hours. Pro- 
fessor Salvini, write a note to Father Howard, 
stating that we hold his examination null and 
void.” 

Professor Salvini, note-book in hand, con- 
tinued to write industriously. The senior play- 
ground, while this conversation was going on, 
had almost suddenly become alive with boys, 
who were all walking up and down in groups of 
two and three. These various groups contrived 
to pass at short intervals the trio. From the 
professors and Ethelred down to the liveliest 
boy upon the grounds, there was not a single 
one whose face, so long, at least, as its owner 
was within sight and hearing of Ethelred, was 
not set in unutterable gravity. 

Now, boy,” resumed Petersol, “ follow us 


86 


ETHELRED PRESTON, 


to the senior study-hall; and be careful on the 
way thither to observe that gravity of deport- 
ment which you see on the faces of the circum- 
ambient students, a gravity, I may add, which 
speaks well for the habits of self-control con- 
tracted by the severe training of our college 
curriculum.” 

Taking the thoroughly mystified Ethelred by 
the hand. Professor Petersol walked gravely 
towards the study-hall, exhorting the new-comer 
in a loud voice, the while, to 'be extremely care- 
ful in the choice of his friends, and to apply 
himself from the outset with diligence to his 
studies; while Professor Salvini hurried on before 
them to give warning to the students who might 
happen to be in the study-hall. 

When the unhappy pupil and his mentor en- 
tered, there were fourteen or fifteen of the 
seniors at their desks, all of whom turned to gaze 
upon Ethelred. 

On half-holidays, the members of the senior 
division were allowed the privilege of the study- 
room, with the understanding that there was to 
be no loud talking or boisterous conduct. 

Professor Petersol, having conducted Ethelred 
to a seat near the door, handed him a copy of 
Cicero. 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


87 


The most important qualification in a young 
student,” he observed, “ is ability to memorize. 
Here you have Cicero’s celebrated oration Pro 
Marcello^ the opening sentence of which our 
giddier pupils love to sing to the air of ‘ Home, 
sweet home.’ You will now take the first hun- 
dred lines of this celebrated oration and memo- 
rize it within an hour’s time.” 

“ But I don’t know no Latin,” whispered 
Ethelred. “ I can’t learn that stuff.” 

“ To learn Latin, the less you know about it 
the better. Before you begin, I desire to give 
you a few instructions. First of all, you are to 
be promoted to the large yard to-night — not 
before. When the recess begins after the second 
hour of studies, you will slip over quietly from 
the junior' division to the place where you had 
the high honor of first making my acquaintance. 
Do you understand ? ” 

Yes.” 

At this answer Professor Petersol’s face grew 
black. 

Yes, sir.” 

That’s better, though you might have said, 
* Yes, professor.’ In the meantime, you must 
tell none of the small boys that you are coming 
over to our — to this side. They might become 


88 


ETHELKED PRESTON. 


jealous. After you have learned your memory 
les.son, you will return to the small boys, and 
play with them, and eat with them, and spend 
your two hours of study in their hall. Now go 
to work at your memory lesson, and don’t you 
dare to raise your head from your book till I 
give the sign.” 

And then Professor Petersol paraded up and 
down the aisles with the airs, much exaggerated, 
of a bona-fide professor; while Ethelred gazed 
helplessly upon the book, while the hall quietly 
filled with students, while the silence was such 
that the slightest sound disturbed it. If Ethel- 
red had but looked around and gazed upon 
these silent students, he would doubtless have 
been puzzled by their facial expression. 

Most of them, all agrin, were eying him un- 
interruptedly; some, red-faced and quivering, 
were struggling manfully against the temptation 
to laugh aloud ; and occasionally one or another 
would rush incontinently from the hall to give 
vent to his emotions outside. Professor Peter- 
sol’s face, in the meantime, never for a moment 
relaxed from its austere gravity. 

Something over a quarter of an hour had gone 
by, when a student came in rather hurriedly and 
whispered a few words in Professor Petersol’s 


ETHELRED PRESTON, 


89 


ear; whereupon, forgetting his decorum, the self- 
appointed study-keeper hurried over to Ethelred. 

“ Boy,” he said, slip back to your yard at 
once — or our plans for bringing you into this 
division to-night will be spoiled. Slip out by 
this door, and be sure not to breathe a syllable 
to any one. I excuse you from your memory 
lesson.” 

Ethelred, nothing loath, took his leave; the 
professor followed him by the same door; and 
his tall form had hardly disappeared when there 
entered from the opposite entrance the prefect 
of the division. 

To find one hundred and twenty boys out of 
a possible one hundred and fifty in perfect 
silence and at their books was something so 
astonishing that the prefect gave a little start, 
while his face expressed sincere astonishment. 

The boys could hold in no longer — a rich wave 
of genuine and uncontrollable laughter rolled 
through the hall. 

The prefect at once understood that something 
out of the ordinary had been going on; he 
waited quietly till the laughter had subsided, 
and then smilingly rapped with his keys on the 
door for all to leave. 

Immediately, once they were outside the 


90 ETBELRED PRESTON, 

study-hall, there formed a group about him to 
tell him of Professor Petersol and the new-comer. 
They told the whole story with such evident 
enjoyment, taking care to inform the prefect 
that the boy had defied any one to take him in, 
that Mr. Evans relished the joke almost as much 
as the narrators. 

I said that they told the whole story. This 
is not quite correct. They failed to mention 
that at last recess after night studies Ethelred 
was to be transferred to the senior division. 

Perhaps they forgot to mention it. 


BTHELRED PRESTON, 


91 


CHAPTER VIII. 

IN WHICH ED DEVEREUX PROPOSES TO HELP ETHELRED 
RUN A WA V. 

^HORTLY after Ethelred’s departure from 
the gymnasium, Earl asked Eddie Devereux 
to take a walk with him outside. 

“ Ed,” he began, when they had gone in 
silence half-way across the yard, I feel pretty 
bad.” 

About Mr. Gade ? ” 

Not exactly. I feel bad about that too, or 
rather angry. It seems to me that Mr. Gade 
has been very harsh and unjust.” 

“ Well, you know, Earl, you havn’t been at 
all up in your lessons for two or three weeks; 
and up to this you never missed. All the boys 
have noticed it.” 

“ Well, there are some things a boy can’t talk 
about, Ed. Rut I want to tell you that I’ve 
honestly tried to study lately. But it has been 
so hard. Up to the retreat I found study so 
easy. But somehow, since then, my mind goes 
wool-gathering all the time. I wish you’d prair 


92 


ETHELRED PRESTON-. 


for me, Eddie. To-day I’ve felt as if I were 
in danger of going wrong. I actually hate Mr. 
Gade, and I know that I’m just full of spite. 
I didn’t think that I was that kind of a boy.” 

You’re not, Earl. This trouble with Mr. 
Gade will blow over in a couple of days and 
you’ll be the same as ever.” 

I’m afraid not. And to-day I said some- 
thing that has bothered me ever since. I told 
the new-comer that this place was a jail. That 
was disloyal to our college. I’ve always been 
treated well here, and have had a pretty cheerful 
time of it ; and now the very first time a new- 
comer is put in my charge, I begin by running 
the place down.” 

‘‘ A good many fellows say things like that 
about the place, Earl; and some of them really 
mean it, too. Is that what is bothering you ? ” 
That’s not all. I had a chance to take back 
what I said, but I was too mulish or too weak 
to do it. And then the boy said that he wasn’t 
going to stay in a jail, and he’d run away to- 
morrow night. You see, in all probability, I’ve 
put it into his head to run away.” 

‘‘ But you can stop that, if you want to.” 

No; I promised not to interfere, and what 
is worse I have lent him money to go away on.” 


ETHELKED PRESTOI^. 93 

With serious brow, Eddie reflected for some 
moments. Presently he broke into a grin. 

“ Good gracious! It’s just the thing! Look 
here, Earl — that fellow has no business at this 
college. His mother may be a lady, as you say; 
but he certainly is a street boy. I’m just as 
sure as can be that if he stays here for a week 
he will be dismissed or expelled. If you and I 
were to tell the vice-president what we know 
about him, Ethelred would go by the train to- 
night. Of course, we don’t like to go report- 
ing on a fellow, unless it is really necessary. 
Now, instead of that, suppose we help him to 
run away.” 

What! ” cried Earl. 

“ Yes; why not ? If the president knew the 
kind of a boy he was, he’d acknowledge that we 
were doing the college a real service. Now, 
look; we’ve got to do one thing or the other — 
report Ethelred as being unfit to go with the boys 
here, or help him run away. Don’t you think 
we could help him ? It doesn’t seem wrong 
in this case, because the president would want 
him to go too if he knew as much about him as 
we do; and besides ” — here Ed’s eyes glittered — 

there’ll be lots of fun.” 

“ But,” objected Earl, “ the boy may not be 


94 ETHEL RED PRESTON. 

able to take care of himself. You know his 
father is in Europe, and his mother is on the 
way there. If anything were to happen to him, 
I should feel responsible.” 

Again Ed fell into thought. 

That’s so,” he assented. “ Can’t we get 
over that difficulty ? Of course it would be 
wrong to help the fellow off if we didn’t know 
he’d be cared for when he got away. I wish we 
could see our way out of that.” 

I remember now,” said Earl, that he said 
he had lots of friends.” 

“ Did he? Well, I’ll tell you what we’ll do. 
We’ll find out whether he will go back to people 
who have a right to care for him. And if he 
will, then we’ll be doing a good act to help him 
off.” 

It will be a good thing for the boys here, 
certainly,” said Earl. 

“ Yes, and it will do no harm to any one else. 
There’s not a boy in our yard, as far as I know, 
who has the least temptation to run away ; so 
there won’t be any scandal in the case. They 
will look upon it as being about the sort of thing 
which they might expect from a boy like the 
Darling.” 

“ What has become of him, I wonder ? He 


ETHELRED PRESTON'. 95 

left the play-room some time ago, and he cer- 
tainly is not in the yard.” 

Eddie chuckled. 

‘'I’m willing to bet that he has fallen into 
the hands of the big boys. I think they’ve 
heard about him already. Our refectory reader 
had a chance to give the reader in the big boy’s 
refectory a few points on the new-comer at 
second table.” 

Eddie had rightly guessed the fact, though 
the cause he assigned was defective. It is true 
the small-boy reader had given his senior con- 
frere an account of Ethelred ; but, besides this, 
every student in the senior division had heard 
and canvassed Ethelred’s remark on the “ green- 
ness ” of the students. The large boys, by tacit 
agreement, had resolved to show Ethelred that, 
along with the simplicity of the dove which dis- 
tinguished the boarders of Henryton College, 
there was also the cunning of a few serpents. 

The students of Henryton were, as a rule, 
kind and considerate in their dealings with new- 
comers. However, if a boy during the first 
days of his arrival proved himself to be some- 
what forward, or plumed himself upon his 
superior knowledge of life, or gave evidences of 
being annoyingly conceited, they were not slow 


96 


ETHELRED PRESTO/^. 


in devising plans to bring him to a sense of his 
position. On rare occasions, moreover, they 
imposed upon a new-comer for no other reason 
than a love of harmless fun. 

Earl and Eddie were still talking of the new 
arrival when that worthy came running around 
the corner of the class-room building. 

“ Hey! there. Darling; you’ve been out of 
bounds,” called Ed. 

Ethelred looked around to see whether any 
others had noticed his return, and then joined 
the two friends. 

“ What were you doing in the large yard ? ” 
asked Ed. 

With a knowing look, Ethelred put his finger 
under his right eye and pressed down upon his 
cheek, so as to give the two boys a good view of 
that organ. 

‘‘ Do you see any green in my eye ? ” 

Oh, if you don’t care to talk, all right. I 
was going to ask you whether they had shown 
you the tree next to the one which George 
Washington cut with his little hatchet.” 

“ You think you’re smart,” snarled the Dar- 
ling. “ But I’m going to show you a point or 
two before I go to-morrow night.” 

Go where ?” 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


97 


‘‘ Away from here. Say, can’t you lend a 
fellow a dollar ? I don’t want to go away with- 
out I have some money.” 

“ See here, Ethelred Preston,” put in Earl, 
“ we won’t help you to run away unless we 
know that you’re going home.” 

“ The old w my mother has gone to 

Europe.” 

Then we’ll not let you run away. You 
have no right to leave this college unless you have 
a fixed home, and some one to take care of you.” 

“What business is that of yours?” cried 
Ethelred, angrily. He had doubled up his fists, 
as though he were about to attack Earl. 

“ I’m going to make it my business. It was 
my fault, for all I know, that you got it into 
your head to run away ; but if you get away it 
will be my fault too.” 

“ I’d like to know who’ll stop me ?” roared 
the Darling. 

“ I will,” answered Earl quietly. 

The two boys as they stood facing each other 
formed a striking contrast. Ethelred blustering, 
passionate, noisy; Earl quiet, cool, determined. 
Earl’s eyes, as he said “ I will,” fell full upon 
Ethelred’s; the latter bore the gaze for a 
moment, then turned his head away. A moment 


98 


ETHELRED PRESTON, 


before, Ethelred had mentally resolved to 
“fight” Earl; in that mutual gaze the fight 
had taken place, and Ethelred was worsted. 

“ Since you fellows meddle so confoundedly, 
I don’t mind telling you that the old — my 
mother put me in charge of Mr. Dodge, the 
Mayor of Brighton, and told me that if I didn’t 
like this college, after a day or so, I might go 
away and stay with him.” 

“ Oh,” cried Eddie, greatly relieved, “ that 
makes things better.” 

“ But,” objected Earl, “ why don’t you go to 
the president of the college, like a man, and tell 
him you have permission from your mother to 
leave.” 

“ Because,” answered Ethelred, after a pause, 
“ I’ve lost the letter she gave me to the presi- 
dent. In that there letter she told him to let 
me go any time I wanted to.” 

Eddie Devereux grinned. 

“ You compose nicely,” he said. 

“ If I was to go to the president,” pursued 
Ethelred, who failed to perceive the point of 
Eddie’s remark, “ and ask him for to let me go, 
he’d have to write to the Mayor and wait for an 
answer, and I’d have to stay here for two or 
three days longer.” 


V 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


99 


‘‘ That would be very hard on you — and some 
of us too — wouldn’t it? ” said Eddie. “ Well,” 
he continued, “ I for one am willing to help 
you, if you’ll give your solemn promise to go 
back to your guardian.” 

“ I’ll swear it — I’ll take an oath — ” Here 
Ethelred actually began to swear that he would 
return directly to his guardian, but Earl cut him 
short. 

“ All we want is your word of honor.” 

Ethelred gave his word of honor in five or six 
varieties. Like many people who set little 
value on their word, he was most eloquent and 
facile in promising, and in attesting to the truth 
of his own statements. 

Here’s seventy-five cents,” said Eddie. 
‘‘You needn’t pay it back unless you come back 
again.” 

Ethelred’s manner changed at once; he was 
now fawning. Money seemed to be the one 
thing upon which he set value. Earl and Eddie 
exchanged looks of disgust as the Darling 
cringed before them. Earl was strongly tempted 
to leave the sordid new-comer, and have nothing 
more to do with him. He was a noble char- 
acter, and could neither understand nor enjoy 
such an exhibition of vulgarity, Eddie, on the 


lOO 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


Other hand, had a keen sense of fun. Under 
all the vulgarity, he saw great promise of future 
frolic. 

Have you made up your mind as to which 
way you’ll get out ? ” he asked. 

‘‘ Not yet, Eddie.” 

“ Why not drop over the wall ? It’s only 
thirty feet or so at the east end of the yard.” 

“ Think I want to break my legs ? ” 

That’s so; a runaway with broken legs would 
be a — ” Eddie paused for the phrase. 

“ A contradiction in terms,” supplied Earl. 

“We might have three or four fellows below 
to hold a net to catch you in, the way they do 
in a circus,” Eddie went on. 

“ No, you don’t,” said the Darling. 

As they spoke, they had walked over to the 
wall. 

“ It wouldn’t be a bad plan, though; only, 
the great trouble would be that we’d have to get 
the four fellows out there to catch you. Oh, I 
declare! Here’s just the place. You see this 
place where there are a few stones on top loose! 
We can take them out easily, and we’ll let down 
a rope, and hold it till you’re down in the 
street. You can climb down a rope, can’t 
you ? ” 


ETHELRED PRESTON, 


lOI 


‘‘ Yes; I suppose so.” 

Of course you can. And if your muscle 
gives out, you can twine your legs around the 
rope and slide down. We can hitch the end of 
the rope to that tree over there, and Earl and I 
and Haines will hold it besides. Of course, we 
won’t tell the other fellows about it, but we must 
have a third person to hold the rope, and Haines 
will be the very best.” 

“ Where are you going to get the rope?” 
asked Ethelred. 

“ Oh, there will be no trouble about that; 
we’ve got a tremendous coil of rope in the 
gymnasium; and I’ll see to that myself. Now, 
the next question is, when do you intend to go ? ” 

‘‘ To-morrow night, so as to catch the train.” 

“ Very good. After second hour’s studies 
there are twenty-five minutes to spare, and we 
can do it easily. It will be dark then and I’ll 
have the rope here. We’ll all come over — Earl, 
3"ou, Haines, and myself — from different parts 
of the yard, so as not to attract attention.” 

“ But maybe I’ll be put in the big yard to- 
morrow.” 

Eddie gave Earl a quick side-look, and as he 
did so there was a world of merriment in his eye; 
for he divined from Ethelred’s remark that the 


102 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


senior students too had the hapless new-comer 
in hand. 

No matter,” he said, turning with a per- 
fectly serious face to Ethelred; ‘‘ you can slip 
over here just the same. We’ll tie the rope in 
a jiffy, and over you go.” 

‘‘ All right, but I need more money.” 

” No, you don’t: its only sixty miles or so to 
Brighton.” 

“ Yes, but I want to take a sleeper too; and 
that costs money.” 

” How much money have you ? ” 

Only one dollar and fifty cents, so help — ” 

“ That’s not true,” cried Earl. 

I’ll swear—” 

“ Hold on,” interposed Earl, “ you needn’t 
lie about it. You’ve been imposing on some of 
the little boys here, and have got one or two 
dollars out of them. We all know about it.” 

Ethelred was silent. 

“ And we want you to let them alone after * 
this; if we catch you borrowing any more 
money, we’ll let you take care of yourself, and 
we’ll see besides that you pay up before you 

go-" 

I intend to pay back every cent,” protested 
Ethelred. 


ETHELKED PRESTON, 103 

‘‘ So much the better. Well, remember to- 
morrow night. There come the boys for a game 
of football. Did you ever see a game ? ” 

No.” 

Come on, then: I’ll explain it to you as you 
look on.” 

For the rest of that afternoon Ethelred, under 
Earl’s care, met with no misadventure. 


104 


ETHELRED PRESTON, 


CHAPTER IX. 


IN WHICH ETHELRED FINDS IT HARD TO^SLEEP UNDIS- 
TURBED. 

J WONDER whether he intends to come," 
said Professor Petersol, better known as 
Peter Sullivan, to Edward Land, the other 
pseudo-professor, 

“ I think so; he has no idea of a college nor 
of college boys; and if he has been quiet thus 
far, no one will be likely to enlighten him.” 

The two were standing at the appointed spot 
awaiting Ethelred. It was a dark night, and 
the wind sweeping down from the north in icy 
blasts made the place very uncomfortable for a 
rendezvous. The thermometer, steadily falling 
throughout the day, was now very near to the 
zero mark. The two were chafing their ears 
and stamping their feet upon the ground. 

Isn’t it getting cold ?” said Sullivan. “ If 
he doesn’t come pretty quick, I’ll clear out. 
A joke’s a good thing, but I don’t propose to 
freeze to death for the sake of a laugh.” 


ETHELRED PRESTON, 


105 

“ But it will be rich. I hope our friend Mr. 
Hale will not take it amiss.” 

“ I don’t see why he should; he likes a joke 
himself. If he thinks he can present me with a 
package of cigarettes with sawdust inside of 
them without my getting back at him, he’s mis- 
taken.” 

And I haven’t forgotten the time when he 
sent me a box of cigars, upper row all right and 
the rest of it a collection of tracts on the evil of 
using fermented wine.” 

“ There’s hardly a boy of the upper classes,” 
continued Land, “ that he hasn’t worked in one 
way or other. That bottle of anti-fat which 
came to Fatty Archibald on his last birthday 
has been traced to Mr. Hale.” 

“ Is that so? Last time he played a practical 
joke on me he told me that, if I ever got the 
chance, I might return him the favor and now — 
Oh, here comes the victim.” 

Breathing heavily, Ethelred at this point 
joined them. 

“ What’s the matter? You are out of breath, 
my son,” said Sullivan. 

I had a little trouble to get away.” 

Ethelred did not think it best to go into 
details. Before leaving the junior division, he 


io6 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


had thought proper to mete out vengeance upon 
Peter Lane. 

Hurrying from the study hall, and waiting for 
little Peter to pass, he followed him till they 
were in a part of the yard where shadows were 
thickest, and then, catching the little man, pro- 
ceeded to shake him with all his strength. Had 
Ethelred been content to nourish his design in 
secret, all would have gone well for him and ill 
for Peter; but he had hinted his plan earlier in 
the evening to Earl, who, in consequence, was 
on the lookout. 

He had scarcely put hands upon Peter, when 
he was seized by a strong pair of arms from 
behind and jerked backwards with a force that 
brought his jaws together with a force that would 
have given nine students out of ten a violent 
headache. It did not effect Ethelred in that 
way, however, but it made him feel decidedly 
uncomfortable. 

Run off, Peter,” said Earl. He continued 
as Peter disappeared from view: “ Ethelred, 
you’re a coward. The idea of picking on the 
smallest boy in the yard. If you go on this 
way, there’s not a boy here will have anything 
to do with you.” 


ETHELRED PRESTOET. I07 

I don’t care; let go of me, will you; let go; 
— I won’t touch him — Ow-w! — stop squeezing.” 

Released, Ethelred rubbed his arms. They 
were destined to show blue marks for a week 
in consequence of the squeeze. Earl, strong 
above his years and weight, had a grip that was 
extraordinary. 

Well, good-night,” said Earl shortly, turn- 
ing on his heel. 

Ethelred paused to invoke some — let us say — 
blessings on Earl’s head, and then, suddenly 
remembering his appointment, hastened away. 
All these things, it is hardly necessary to say, 
the pseudo-professors learned only on the follow- 
ing morning 

“ Well, my son,” said Edward, “ we find on- 
examination that it won’t do for you to go to 
sleep in the dormitory to-night. Some of the 
young gentlemen here will become jealous of 
you, unless we prepare the way gently for your 
promotion to the senior division. Your admis- 
sion, accordingly, to the senior division must be 
kept a secret till to-morrow afternoon, or possi- 
bly till to-morrow night.” 

“ Yes,” said Ethelred. 

So we have decided to allow you a private 


I 08 ETHELRED PRESTON. 

sleeping-room for this night. Come on at once, 
and don’t talk on the way.” 

Crossing the yard, they came to the infirmary 
building. It was a long, low structure two 
stories in height, with the windows of the first 
floor about nine feet above the ground. Avoid- 
ing the entrance, Ethelred’s guides conducted 
him to a ladder below the third window on the 
western side. 

Now, be very quiet,” whispered Sullivan. 

We want no one to know that you are here— 
else they might try to play tricks on you. Fol- 
low me up the ladder into this room.” 

Sullivan mounted, followed by Ethelred and 
Edward. 

The room was exquisitely fitted up. A 
student’s lamp upon the centre-table was alight 
at the time that they entered, and threw a soft- 
ened splendor upon the entire room. There 
were tidies, silk hangings, doilies, lace pillow- 
slips, silken curtains, books, selected seemingly 
for their pretty covers, and, upon the toilet- 
table, a number of dainty articles. 

‘'How do you like this?” asked Sullivan, 
removing the rose-colored shade from the lamp. 

For answer, Ethelred gazed about him open- 
mouthed. 


ETHELRED PRESTON, 


109 

Now, boy, you are to touch nothing in this 
room except the lamp, which you will blow out 
as soon as you have undressed; and then go to 
bed, and stay there till we come for you to- 
morrow morning.” 

“ Yes, sir.” 

“ If any people should come in here during 
the night, don’t you let them impose on you. 
However, there does not seem to be much 
danger. The door, you will observe, is locked. 
When Professor Salvini and I go, which we shall 
do by means of the window, so as to keep your 
being here a secret from the boys, many of 
whom I regret to say are frivolous, we shall take 
away the step-ladder. So you ought to .be 
quite safe from intruders. Still, if any one 
should come in, don’t let him impose upon 
you.” 

I’ll bet I won’t. They’re not going to fool 

t » 

me. 

Good-night, boy. Go to bed.” And the 
two professors departed by the window. 

One hour later, Mr. Hale, who had been down 
town to see certain friends of his, returned 
“ carolling lightly,” to his room in the infirmary. 
Mr. Hale was a tall, willowy, young exquisite 
of twenty-one, with a light mustache, a delicate 


no 


ethelred Preston-. 


complexion, and a dainty cane. He wore an 
abundance of rings. Despite appearances, he 
was a sensible young man, who gave pleasure to 
many by his kindly ways, and, with the trifling 
exception of one or two upon whom he had 
played practical jokes, offence to none. He 
resided at Henryton College in the capacity of 
teacher of flute and piano. 

Unlocking himself into his room, he lighted 
the lamp, took off his coat and put a cigar in his 
mouth. It was his custom before retiring to 
while away an hour over a mild Havana. Hav- 
ing struck a match, and settled into his arm- 
chair, he waited for the blue flame to burn away. 
And while he was thus waiting, his jaw dropped, 
his eyes opened wide, he jumped from his chair 
with a start, and was in two minds about rush- 
ing from the room. 

Beside the bed was a chair on which were 
piled a shirt, trousers, coat, and vest. Upon the 
pillow — his beautiful lace pillow — lay a strange 
head. 

After breathing hard for a minute, Mr. Hale 
with trembling fingers struck another match, 
lighted his lamp, and arming himself with his 
cane, resolved to explore this mystery. 

Hey ! ” he cried, entrenched behind his 


ETHELRED PRESTON, 


III 


chair, and standing at a safe distance from the 
bed. Wake up there! Who are you ? ” 

Master Ethelred tossed uneasily, gave a 
groan, and was still again. 

Hey there! wake up. Do you hear ? ” 

No attention was paid to these remonstrances. 

Then Mr. Hale did what was for him a bold 
thing. Stooping down, he picked up a slipper 
from under his washstand, and tossed it lightly 
into the air. It fell, striking the sleeper’s neck. 

Ethelred, rubbing his eyes, sat up in bed. 

What are you doing in this room, sir ? ” 
stuttered Mr. Hale. 

“ None of your business. You just clear out 
of here and let me alone..” 

‘‘ But,” gasped the astonished musician, this 
is my room.” 

‘‘ See here,” said Ethelred, fiercely, you 
can’t fool me because I’m a new-comer. You 
just clear out of this room right smart, or it will 
be the worse for you.” 

You impudent fellow,” cried Mr. Hale, his 
anger growing as his courage rose, “ if you don’t 
get out of that bed at once, and leave this room 
with those clothes of yours, I’ll cane you.” 
And he shook his dainty walking-stick at the 
occupant of his bed. 


2 


ETHELRED PRESTON'. 


You just come near enough,” roared Ethel- 
red, reaching down and recovering one of his 
shoes, “ and I’ll stave in your old head. You 
can’t play any tricks on me.” 

At this point it occurred to Mr. Hale that he 
must be dealing with an escaped lunatic. He 
resolved to change his tactics. 

“ But, my dear sir,” he urged, “ that’s my 
bed.” 

” You just get out of this room as quick as 
you can,” returned Ethelred, ” or I’ll tell the 
professors on you.” 

” What professors ? ” 

” Professors Petersol and Salvini.” 

Mr. Hale was now convinced that he had to 
deal with a lunatic. There were no professors 
answering to such names in the college. 

” Get out,” he roared, hoping to frighten the 
invader by the fierceness of his tones. 

” Get out yourself, you idiot,” squawked 
Ethelred, at the top of his voice. 

There had been a noise and pattering of foot- 
steps outside during the foregoing dialogue. 
As Ethelred’s voice ceased, there came a 
knock. 

” Come in,” cried Mr. Hale, inwardly thank- 
ful that help had arrived. 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 1 13 

The door opened, and the face of the brother 
infirmarian came into view. 

“ No you don’t come in,” bawled Ethelred. 
” You’re not going to work me. Get out of 
here both of you.” 

The brother now entered, and behind him 
arrayed in their night-shirts, and armed with 
sticks, shoes, pokers, and one baseball bat, 
pattered six little barefoot boys. Their eyes 
were sticking out from curiosity. 

The new arrivals were not long in appreciating 
the situation. 

Mr. Hale, still standing behind his chair, as 
though it were a rampart, was brandishing his 
cane. Ethelred, sitting up in bed, was holding 
a shoe, ready to throw at a moment’s notice. 

” There’s a lunatic in that bed,” explained 
the teacher of music. 

“ Lunatic! you old red-head,” retorted Ethel- 
red; ” I’ve got more sense than your whole 
family.” 

” Why,” exclaimed one of the young gentle- 
men in white, ” it’s Ethelred Preston, his 
mamma’s darling.” 

At this all the white-robed ones broke into a 
laugh, so hearty, that one would find it hard to 
believe that they were the small boys of the 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


I14 

junior division, who, then and there, happened 
to be too ill to attend to regular work. It was 
Haines, temporarily indisposed by a headache, 
who recognized Ethelred. The five other boys, 
having been sick all that day, had not had the 
pleasure thus far of meeting the Darling. But 
Haines, during the two hours before bedtime, 
had told them enough of him to make this first 
moment of recognition a moment of ecstasy 
which they were not likely to forget. 

“Come, sir,” said the brother infirmarian; 
“ get up out of that.” 

To the horror of the six little boys, Ethelred 
put his thumb to his nose and wriggled his 
fingers in scorn. 

“ I told you he was crazy,” said Mr. Hale. 

“You people don’t take me in,” said Ethel- 
red. “ Get out of this room. I wasn’t born 
yesterday.” 

The brother was becoming angry. 

“ Get out, yourself, sir, or we shall have to 
have recourse to physical force.” 

Before Ethelred could answer, another person 
arrived on the scene. It was Father How- 
ard. 

“ Oh, here you are! ” he said. “ Why didn’t 
you go to your dormitory ? Your prefect re- 


E THELRED PRES TON. 1 1 5 

ported you to me for being absent, and I’ve 
been looking for you since nine o’clock.” 

Ethelred became subdued at once. 

Professors Petersol and Salvini told me to 
come here.” 

If there was a twinkle in Father Howard’s eye 
for a moment, let us trust that it was not 
recorded by the angel who keeps count and tally 
against disciplinarians. 

“ Go to your beds, boys,” said Father How- 
ard to the white-robed array. 

They disappeared promptly, throwing wistful, 
lingering, longing looks over their shoulders. 

“ Now, sir, put on your clothes at once; and 
I’ll take you to your dormitory. The pro- 
fessors you mention are not to be found in this 
college. You have been duped.” 

It was three months before Mr. Hale was 
able to see the joke in this little episode. Then 
he saw it, and forgave the perpetrators. It was 
also one month before Professors Petersol and 
Salvini had fully squared accounts with Father 
Howard. 


ii6 


ETHELRED FEES TON', 


CHAPTER X. 

IN WHICH EARL MERIWETHER RECEIVES ANOTHER 
PUBLIC ADMONITION, 

qn the following day, which was the last 
Friday in January, and the second day in 
Ethelred Preston’s career as a student in Henry- 
ton College, the new-comer went about more 
quietly. He had learned from his first experi- 
ences that in entering upon college life he was 
brought into relations with other boys which 
were quite different from what he had expected. 

It had been his intention to borrow money 
from every one who was willing to lend, but 
Devereux and Meriwether, by their remarks on 
the previous afternoon, had caused him to 
change his mind. His fellow-students, satisfied 
with the preceding day’s fun, were content, for 
the time being, at least, to let him alone. So 
the morning and afternoon wore off without a 
break in the calm flow of college life. 

During the recesses and recreations, Ethelred 
clung to Earl. He was the only boy in the 


E THELRED PRES TON. 1 1 7 

college whom Ethelred cared about consorting 
with. 

‘‘You see,” he explained, as he gave Earl a 
dig in the ribs, “ we’re both Protestants. I 
don’t like these Catholics.” 

This remark fell upon Earl like a blow. It 
hurt his pride to feel that he should be put on 
the same footing with Preston. He knew, of 
course, that Preston was by no means a repre- 
sentative of the Protestant boy; and that his 
Protestantism was rather a hatred of Catholics 
than any set form of worship. And yet this 
remark of Ethelred’s galled him, and awoke in 
him the old feeling of religious unrest. 

“ If you don’t like these Catholics, so much 
the worse for you,” answered Earl. “ I know 
most of them here pretty well, and I can tell 
you that there are some fellows in this school 
who are leading lives as beautiful as the lives of 
the best people I ever read about in books.” 

“ They’re a lot of hypocrites,” objected Ethel- 
red. 

“ Oh, of course. In all the time that I’ve 
been attending school here, I never met a good- 
for-nothing fellow yet who didn’t explain the 
conduct of those who acted decently on the 
ground of hypocrisy. That’s a cheap way of 


1 1 8 E THELRED PRES TON. 

showing jealousy or spite. I don’t believe 
there are many hypocrites among boys, — at 
least, little boys; and when you do come upon 
a hypocrite, you find him out pretty soon. But 
when you are thrown in with a boy day in day 
out for weeks and months, and notice that he 
will never do anything that he thinks is really 
wrong, it’s nonsense to say that he’s a hypo- 
crite.” 

“ Well,” said Preston, I haven’t seen any 
of your pious boys around here. They don’t 
seem to show any religion at all. Now there’s 
that Devereux, — you don’t call him a pious 
boy! ” 

'‘Yes, but I do; there’s not a better boy 
going. He was not remarkably good when he 
first came here from Philadelphia; but he 
changed inside of a month; and now he’s next 
door to a saint.” 

" You’re a fool,” said the gentle Ethelred, in 
a croak. “ That fellow pious! Why he laughs 
and jokes and skips around lively. Look at 
him now over there in that crowd. He’s push- 
ing and tugging, and getting all the fun he 
can.” 

" I’m afraid you don’t know much about 
piety, Ethelred.” 


E THELRED PRES TOM. 1 1 9 

“ I guess I know a heap more about it than 
you do. I’ve been to camp meetings lots of 
times; and I’ve seen the pious people there. 
I’ve seen ’em on the platform and off it. They 
don’t go about laughing and hopping and grin- 
ning. No, sir, you can jest bet yer boots. They 
look solemn and sad, and they talk that way, 
and they are just death on smoking and dancing 
and amoosements and jokes and card-playing. 
You don’t catch them playing jokes. Why, I 
can tell a pious feller as soon as I see him.” 

So,” said Earl, amused in spite of himself, 
you don’t think a person can be pious and 
cheerful at the same time.” 

Not much.” 

And,” Earl continued, if a man wants to 
be pious, according to your way of seeing it, he 
must not expect to enjoy himself, or have any 
fun at all.” 

Why, that stands to reason; anybody who 
isn’t a fool can see that,” answered Ethel- 
red. 

I thought you were an Episcopalian: they 
don’t talk as you do.” 

“ The old woman is — at least, she says so; but 
I’m not. I’m a Protestant, and I know what 
they believe mighty well.” 


120 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


'' Well, you’re wrong. The best class of 
Protestants agree with Catholics on that point. 
A person, according to them, is really pious 
when he does his duty and avoids sin through 
supernatural motives. Now, a boy can do his 
duty and avoid sin, and at the same time have a 
jolly good time.” 

Ethelred snorted. 

“ If there’s one thing I envy the Catholic 
boy,” continued Earl, who was now talking on 
the subject which had lately absorbed his atten- 
tion, it is confession.” 

What! ” squawked the Darling. 

^‘It is beautiful to see the effect it has on 
them. They go into the confessional for a few 
moments, and tell everything that is on their 
conscience to the priest. The priest sets them 
right if they need it, gives them good advice or 
encouragement when the)- are in trouble, and 
then gives them absolution. After that a boy 
feels that he has a new start.” 

” Have you ever read ‘ The Horrors of the 
Confeshing’ ? ” asked Ethelred. 

“ I don’t want to read it.” 

” It’s good — it’s full of lively things. Them 
priests ought all to be hanged. The idea of 
them fellows pretending they can forgive sins I 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


121 


And then their Mass ! That’s an invention of 
the devil. And what they call holy Com ” 

‘‘ You’d better stop,” broke in Earl, with a 
strange light in his eyes. “ If there is one 
thing that has disgusted me with some people I 
have met, who call themselves Protestants, it is 
the indecent and exaggerated wa}^ in which they 
talk about Catholic practices. Now take Com- 
munion. I’ve seen boys make their first Com- 
munion here twice, and I tell you it’s the nicest 
sight I want to see. When those little boys go 
to Communion for the first time, some of them 
look like angels; and I’m sure if they were to 
die then, they would go straight to heaven. If 
people who call themselves Protestants knew 
the good that confession and Communion do to 
little boys, they wouldn’t abuse these things, 
even if they did not believe in them.” 

But Ethelred was not easily to be silenced on 
the question of religion. As he admitted in the 
course of the conversation, he made no pretence 
of being a ** professing Christian”; at the same, 
time, he had read and re-read all manner of 
books containing attacks on the Church, and he 
had, it would seem, attended the lectures of 
those highly delightful creatures, reformed 
priests” and “escaped nuns.” He was well 


122 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


armed, as he thought, for a vigorous onslaught 
on the Catholic Church and her ministers; and 
he poured into Earl’s ears trite objections, stale 
slanders, and silly stories till Earl was too angry 
to reply. 

That afternoon in the class-room Earl was 
more inattentive than ever. Some of Ethelred’s 
objections to the Catholic faith were new to him, 
and despite himself he kept turning them over 
in his mind. Yet, turn them as he might, no 
satisfactory answers suggested themselves. His 
hand was drumming idly upon the desk as his 
mind gave itself to these difficulties. The action 
of hand and brain were each involuntary. 

** Five lines for drumming, Meriwether,” said 
Mr. Gade. 

Earl straightened up and bit his lip, while a 
shadow of annoyance passed over his face. The 
punishment was nothing extraordinary; there 
were several young gentlemen in the class given 
to beating the “ Devil’s tattoo” in season and 
out; in consequence of which Mr. Gade had 
been obliged to declare it unlawful with a 
penalty of five lines to be memorized for each 
offence. In calling out Earl, Mr. Gade had 
used his severest tones, instead of his usual 
matter-of-fact voice. It appeared to him that 


^ THELRED PRES TON. 1 23 

Earl was taking no pains to give satisfaction. 
This was the first time during the year that 
Earl had drummed upon his desk; and the 
teacher may be pardoned if, in the light of the 
preceding day’s occurrence, he entertained a 
suspicion that the boy was trying to annoy him. 

Earl was hurt. Why could not his teacher 
treat him as he treated the others ? 

‘‘ He’s down on me,” was his thought, and 
all the pride and vanity of his nature were again 
up in arms. Once these passions were awak- 
ened in our friend, they did not quickly subside. 
Slow to be aroused, he was slow to recover his 
usual equal mood. For the remainder of the 
hour, Earl sat motionless; but his blood was 
boiling. The fierce play of passion within his 
heart was something that terrified him. He left 
the class-room with his, face set and hardened. 
All thought of religion, of goodness, all sweet 
and holy sentiments were gone. He retired 
to a deserted walk, where he paced up and 
down like a caged tiger. 

At the end of class, Eddie Devereux remained 
at his desk, making a pretence of arranging his 
books and papers. When all had gone out, he 
approached Mr. Gade, blushing violently and 
very nervous. 


124 


ETHELRED PRESTON'. 


Mr. Gade, you wouldn’t mind my saying 
something, sir ? ” 

‘‘ Not at all, Eddie. Fm sure that you won’t 
say anything very bad.” 

It’s about Earl, sir.” 

** Well, what about him ?” At the mention 
of Earl’s name the smile of encouragement dis- 
appeared from the teacher’s face. 

“ I think, sir, he was trying to pay attention 
the day* you sent him from the room.” 

It didn’t look that way, Eddie. I’m afraid 
that you are prejudiced.” 

I’m his friend,” said loyal Ed, simply, “ and 
I know*,” he went on, that Earl is a good boy. 
I think that he did more for me than any boy 
here when I first came. He gave me a little 
talking once because I wasn’t behaving in chapel, 
and it made me so ashamed of myself that it 
was worth more to me d:han a dozen sermons. 
Please don’t think hard of Earl, Mr. Gade; 
he’s troubled about something; Fm sure he 
wasn’t thinking of what he was doing when he 
was drumming this afternoon.” 

Mr. Gade was secretly delighted with Ed’s 
loyalty to his friend. At the same time he was 
decidedly of the opinion that Ed was mistaken 
in his estimate of Earl’s conduct. As the 


ETHELRED PRESTOM, 


125 


reader knows, it was Mr. Gade who misjudged. 
It must be said in his defence, however, that, 
owing to Earl’s extreme reticence, he had noth- 
ing to judge from but the appearance of things. 
Ed, on the other hand, having heard Earl’s 
story, was sufficiently aware of his friends’ strug- 
gles and troubles to be thoroughly convinced 
of his good faith. Yet, knowing them in confi- 
dence, he did not feel at liberty to reveal to Mr. 
Gade any of the details which Earl had revealed 
to him. Hence the interview failed to produce 
the effect which Ed had hoped for. He went 
away, then, feeling that his offices as mediator 
had utterly failed. On dismissing Devereux 
with a few kind words, Mr. Gade, leaving the 
class-room, took his way across the yard to the 
junior students’ library. 

He was within a few feet of the library door 
when he unexpectedly came upon Earl still 
pacing up and down the lonely walk. Earl was 
advancing towards him ; the meeting was inevit- 
able. At first Mr. Gade was in a state of irres- 
olution about saluting Earl kindly. There was 
a stony, repellant stare in the boy’s eyes, as he 
drew nearer. Would it not be better to pass 
the troublesome pupil with a cold recognition ? 
Any friendly overture made to Earl in his pres- 


126 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


ent exasperated and sullen state of mind would 
lay the teacher open to a slight. Besides, Earl 
was the inferior; he should be shown that his 
present course deserved rebuke. 

On the other hand, perhaps Eddie Devereux 
was right; or, again, if not altogether right, per- 
haps there was some truth in his defence of his 
friend. Moreover — and this was the most im- 
portant point, — a little kindness rarely goes 
amiss. Mr. Gade resolved, though it cost him a 
struggle, to try kindness. 

“ Good afternoon, Earl,” he said with a smile, 
and in gentle tones. 

Good afternoon,” said Earl in surly tones, 
touching his cap gingerly, and walking on. 
Earl’s manner was harsh and repellant. Mr. 
Gade’s courtesy was indeed a courtesy ill re- 
turned. 

I’m afraid that Eddie is wholly wrong,” 
reflected the teacher, sadly, as he walked on, 
“ and my attempt at kindness has gone for 
nothing. ” 

Mr. Gade’s “ attempt at kindness” may have 
gone for nothing according to the world’s meas- 
urement; but according to a higher and holier 
measurement, it had gone for much. 

In answering thus uncourteously Mr. Gade’s 


ETHELRED PRESTON-. 


127 


kind salutation, Earl had actod on the ugly spur 
of the moment, and without fully realizing what 
he was doing. It was only when he had turned 
his back upon his teacher that a fuller sense of 
his conduct came upon him. Clear and distinct 
from the black background of his passion shone 
the kind eyes which had looked into his momen- 
tarily with such sympathy; clear and distinct 
from the black background of his passion the 
teacher’s thin, delicate face, worn with sickness, 
haunted him, and as that kind face fastened 
upon his imagination, the clouds of passion 
thinned and scattered. How unpardonably rude 
he had been! He had been boorish; he had 
returned kindness with bitterness. The tears 
came to Earl’s eyes. A chance had been given 
him to return to the former footing with his 
teacher, even to explain everything, and he had 
thrown it away. 

Earl was thoroughly humbled. He had been 
convinced, a moment before, that he was a per- 
secuted boy. Now he began to entertain doubts. 
If he could but apologize. Alas! he had let 
his chance escape. The same pride which had 
led him to act thus discourteously, now, under 
another shape, stood between him and the mak- 
ing of a full submission. But in his heart there 


12 $ 


ETHELRED PRES TOM. 


arose a short, earnest prayer to God for grace 
and light and strength. So Mr. Gade’s saluta- 
tion, though it had brought him a slight, was 
not without fruit; and Eddie’s mediation had 
not been vain. It has been well said that for 
every act of kindness performed in this world of 
ours there is one sin the less. 


ETHELRED PRESTON, 


129 


CHAPTER XI. 

IN WHICH ETHELRED TAKES MORE ROPE THAN DEVE- 
REUX HAD COUNTED UPON. 

“W ELL, here’s the rope,” whispered Ed 
Devereux, stooping and raising a large 
coil from beside the trunk of the tree near the 
eastern wall. “ Just keep quiet a minute while 
I tie an end to this tree.” 

It was a dark night : the cold had grown more 
intense during the past twenty-four hours, and 
the wind which came whistling through the trees 
set the teeth of the four chattering. 

Are you sure that rope will reach all the 
way down ? ” asked Ethelred. 

Sure and certain, with ten or twelve feet to 
spare. There now, the rope is tied safe.” 

There’s a light down there in the street,” 
objected Ethelred, peering over the wall. 

“ Of course there is,” said Haines, who was 
standing beside him. “ That street is a part of 
the town, even if it is deserted; and the light 
comes from an old-style lamp-post half a block 
away. 


130 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


‘‘ You had better go,” urged Earl. The 
bell for the end of recess will ring in a few min- 
utes; and it’s no use standing here and freezing 
to death.” 

Ethelred gazed down again. Despite the 
glimmer from the lamp-post, it looked very black 
and mysterious beneath. He regretted that he 
had determined to descend by a rope. 

“ Look here; maybe that rope isn’t sound; it 
might break.” 

• “If it does,” said Eddie, “ we’ll give it to 
you for nothing.” 

“ I don’t care about risking my neck; say, 
Eddie Devereux, would you mind climbing down 
just to see how it goes ? ” 

“Next thing you’ll want me to run away for 
you. If you don’t hurry, your hands will be so 
cold and numb that you won’t be able to use 
them. Go on yourself, or give up; we can’t 
stay here much longer.” 

“ I don’t know what to do,” whined Ethelred. 

“ Very well. Darling,” said Eddie, coolly, 
“ then I’ll unfasten this rope, and we’ll all go to 
prayers.” And Eddie made for the tree. 

“ No, no; I’ll go. Good-bye everybody.” 

The three took a strong hold on the rope, 
Ethelred mounted the wall with no little trepida- 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 13 1 

tion, caught the coil, dropped over, — then all 
was silence, save for the labored breathing of the 
three boys above, and the noise of shoes scrap- 
ing and knocking against the stone wall. 

A minute passed before they heard Ethelred's 
whistle — the agreed signal that all was well. On 
pulling up the rope, they found that it lacked 
about twenty feet of its former length. 

Ethelred had taken it away as a souvenir. 

“ Well, that’s what I call mean,” exclaimed 
Eddie. 

We’re well rid of such a boy,” commented 
Earl. “ He has no sense of decency.” 

Roger Haines was chuckling. 

It’s one on you, Eddie,” he said at length. 
‘‘You might have sent the boy off by the back 
way, but you would have this romantic climbing 
down by a rope. The joke’s on you. That rope 
belongs to the gymnasium, and you’ll have to 
pay the damages.” 

“ I don’t mind the expense,” said the rueful 
Eddie, “ but it’s getting found out that bothers 
me. I’ll lose my privileges for good conduct, 
although my conduct has been perfectly proper. 
In assisting Ethelred to leave, I consider myself 
as a benefactor to the college.” 

“ Yes, he’s a good riddance,” said Roger. 


32 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


“ But there goes the bell. Good-night, boys, 
I’m going to take a run; my ears and toes and 
hands are beginning to freeze.” 

In the dormitory, the prefect, shortly after 
night prayers, noticed the absence of Ethelred, 
and he darted an inquiring look in Earl’s direc- 
tion. Earl, in common with the majority of 
the students, was on his knees. 

Two or three minutes later, when he had 
arisen, the prefect came over. 

“ Earl, do you know anything about Ethel- 
red Preston ? ” 

‘‘ Yes, sir.” 

Where is he?” 

By this time, sir, he ought to be on board 
the cars for home. There’s the engine whistling 
now. He’s run away, sir, and I helped him.” 

The prefect shrugged his shoulders, and re- 
turned to his place. 

‘‘ That’s the end of Ethelred Preston so far as 
we are concerned,” he thought. 

But he was greatly mistaken. 

Once Ethelred touched the ground, he was 
himself again ; which he immediately proved by 
cutting off as much of the rope as he could 
reach. Hurriedly coiling this about his arm, 
and wondering what he should do with it, he 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


133 


walked smartly down the street in the direction 
of the depot. 

And now Ethelred began to repent him of his 
new acquisition. He had taken the rope in- 
stinctively; but what was he to do with it? To 
throw it away would be wasteful. If he could 
but trade it off, were it only for a collar button ! 

Thus lamenting, Ethelred reached the station. 

“ Evening paper, sir, the Star^'' cried a tiny 
youngster whose face was hidden by a tremen- 
dous “comforter.” 

A bright idea struck Ethelred. 

“ See here, Johnnie, how many papers will 
you give me for this rope ? It’s a splendid rope, 
and worth at least forty cents.” 

“ I don’t want a rope.” 

“ You could hang a man with this,” urged 
Ethelred, “ and the rope would be as good as 
new. Hold on, don’t go away. What evening 
papers have you got ? ” 

“ The Star and the Post"' 

“ And how much are they ? ” 

“ Star^ three cents; Post, two.” 

“ Take the whole rope for five cents, give me 
a Star and a Post, and we’ll call it a bargain. 
It’s a splendid rope.” 

“ All right, sir; I’ll trade.” 


134 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


Couldil’t you throw in an extra Star'i " 

“ You said one.” 

“ Come, throw in one more copy,” he pleaded. 

Eventually Ethelred entered the station with 
three evening papers. He paid seventy cents 
for a second class ticket, and, having twelve 
minutes to wait, seated himself, and took up the 
evening Star, 

He had been reading for several minutes, when 
he suddenly gave a low whistle. With mouth 
agape and protruding eyes, he read and re-read 
a certain news item of about thirty lines. 

“This beats Jericho!” he exclaimed, and, 
dropping the paper, he fell into a study. 

An hour later that night a card was handed 
Father Edmunds. He glanced at it. 

“ What! ” he said, “ I thought that chapter 
was closed.” 

And he threw the card on his table, and has- 
tened to the parlor. 

It read: 

Master Ethp:lred Preston, 

Albany Villa, Brighton. 

[At Home Tuesdays.] 


ETHELRED PRESTON, 


135 


CHAPTER XII. 

IN WHICH ETHELRED GETS RELIGION;^ AND TURNS 
OVER A NEW LEAK 

“W ELL, sir, what do you want now ? ” 

Ethelred was standing in the dimly- 
lighted parlor, fumbling his hat. 

“ Eve come back,” answered Ethelred. 

The president turned up the light, and fixed a 
stern glance upon the runaway, who lowered his 
eyes, and gave very evident signs of extreme 
nervousness. 

Come back for what, Master Preston? ” 

*M’m sorry I run away.” 

** Yes; but running away here subjects the 
offender to expulsion.” 

‘‘But I only went as far as the depot. Then 
I began to think. It would bust my mother’s 
heart if she knew that her boy had run away 
and been expelled.” 

The president was puzzled. The runaway 
before him had the appearance of a worthless 
boy; the reports concerning him from prefects 
and teachers were to the effect that he was as 


136 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


worthless as he seemed to be. But how square 
all this with the letter from his mother, the testi- 
monials from the Mayor of Brighton, and from 
the pastor of the Episcopalian Church ? 

“ It was because I didn’t think, sir, that I 
run away. I got red-hot when the old — when 
my mother sent me here, and I made up my 
mind to be as ugly as I could. But I got 
religion down at the depot. If you let me come 
back. I’ll turn a new leaf. You don’t catch me 
monkeying any more.” 

These words of Ethelred, vulgarly couched 
though they were, satisfied several of the presi- 
dent’s difficulties. Had not Mrs. Preston stated 
that her son was likely to act first and think 
afterwards — to take the leap and then look ? 
Had not the Mayor of Brighton warned him 
that the boy meditated running away? The bad 
points to be looked for in the boy’s character 
had been verified. Was there not a reasonable 
hope, especially in view of Ethelred’s confession, 
that the good ones were now to come into evi- 
dence ? The president felt that he was at 
length beginning to understand the strange char- 
acter before him. 

“ Well, Ethelred, I will give you one more 
chance to redeem yourself. I now receive you. 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


137 


but conditionally. To be frank, despite the high 
character your parents enjoy, you do not seem 
to be at all up to the standard which we require 
of our students. Your ways, and manners, and 
views are such as we find in those whose associa- 
tions are of the very lowest.” 

I used to go with our coachman all the 
time,” said Ethelred, looking gratified. 

“ Indeed. Well, you must mend your man- 
ners without delay. You have already given 
offence to the boys here by your profanity. If 
I hear anything of the sort again, you shall go 
at once.” 

I’ll stop sure; I only talked that way to 
show off.” 

“ What a high ideal! As though cursing were 
an accomplishment. Now, I shall write you a 
note of admission to the dormitory. Go there at 
once, and remember that you are here on proba- 
tion — on trial. Were not your mother on the 
way to Europe, I doubt whether I should receive 
you at all.” 

****** 

‘‘ I say, how in the world did you get back ?” 
asked Eddie Devereux, early the next morning, 
catching Ethelred’s arm as the two came out of 
the wash-room. 


ETHELRED PRESTON, 


138 

I walked back,” was the smart answer. I 
told you fellows I was going to fool you a little 
bit before I left.” 

And do you mean to say that you got up 
that plan of running away just for the sake of 
fooling me and Earl Meriwether ? ” 

‘‘ That’s just about the size of it.” 

‘‘ And what did you do with that piece of 
rope ? You cut off about twenty feet of it. I 
want it back.” 

That was a part of the joke too. You 
needn’t get mad ; you fellows had your fun out 
of me, and now I’m getting even with you. 
You can’t fool this chicken.” 

Ed’s vanity was hurt more than he liked to 
confess even to himself. He was a quick-witted 
youngster, and knew it. To be thus taken in 
by a “greenhorn ” was a real subject of mortifi- 
cation to him. He began to suspect that there 
was in the new-comer more than he had given 
him credit for. 

“You may remember. Darling, that I lent 
you seventy-five cents to help you run away.” 

“ Maybe I do, and maybe I don’t.” 

“ And I said you might keep it, provided you 
did not come back to college.” 

“ That so ? ” 


ETHELRED PRESTON-, 139 

“Now you’re back, and I’ll be glad to get 
that money.” 

“ What— all of it ?” 

“ Certainly.” 

“ Will you let me off if I pay you twenty 
cents? ” 

“ Not much.” 

“ It’s thirty cents on the dollar.” 

“ I want that money — every cent of it. Come 
on, Preston.” 

Preston looked concerned for a moment; sud- 
denly his face brightened. 

“ Look here, Devereux; that money was a 
part of the joke ! ” 

“ Suppose it was ? ” 

“ Well, just this — I’m not going to spoil the 
joke; it’s too good. I’d like to pay you, but I 
can’t.” 

“ Your jokes are pretty expensive ones. Dar- 
ling. No, sir; you just pay me back that 
money.” 

“ I wouldn’t spoil such a joke for twice the 
amount,” protested Ethelred, who was now 
speaking with extreme animation. 

“ Do you mean to say that you don’t intend 
to return me my money ? ” 

Ethelred’s face grew troubled, and he took a 


1 40 E THELRED PRES TON. 

moment’s thought. Suddenly his face bright- 
ened, and he said, with no attempt to conceal 
an expression of triumph: 

“ I’ll pay it if the president allows the debt.” 

There was no doubt that Ethelred possessed a 
large store of low cunning. He had outwitted 
Devereux; but he had outwitted him on grounds 
with which Ed, to his credit be it said, was 
utterly unfamiliar. 

With a hoarse laugh, and slapping his hand 
over his vest pocket, Ethelred walked off, leav- 
ing Devereux quite vexed. But the little lad’s 
sense of humor soon came to his rescue. Aside 
from the incidental meanness, the joke was not 
bad. Besides, turn about is fair play. Ethelred 
had made him a return in kind ; and as for the 
money, Ed resolved to let the claim go. He 
also resolved to keep a sharp eye on the bor- 
rower. 

Before morning prayers, accordingly, he sum- 
moned Earl and Roger, and told them of his 
interview with the Darling. 

He’s got the joke on us,” said Earl, and 
I suppose I’m out fifty or sixty cents too.” 

“ There’s something strange about the whole 
affair,” mused Roger. “ It may be that he 
plotted this trick on us; but if he did, then he 


E THELRED PRES TON’. 1 4 1 

is a magnificent actor. Somehow, I can’t bring 
myself to believe that he had no intention of 
running away last night.” 

“ As for me,” said Eddie frankly, I don’t 
want to believe it. It’s terrible to think I’ve 
• been made a fool of by a chap like that; but it 
looks pretty clear against us. If he were to tell 
his story to the boys in the yard, I don’t think 
there’s a fellow who wouldn’t believe it. I 
wonder how he got back, and how he accounted 
for his absence ? ” 

“ I lay awake till ten o’clock,” said Earl, 
** and he didn’t come to the dormitory up to 
that time. The first I saw of him was this 
morning, when he jumped out of bed, looking 
jollier than he has looked since he came here.” 

Ethelred Preston is a conundrum,” said 
Eddie, and he needs study. It seems to me 
that he ought not to be in this college at all.” 

Me too,” assented Haines. “ In the mean- 
time, we can wait till we learn more.” 

Yes,” added Earl, and in the meantime, 
too, it wouldn’t be bad to suspend judgment.” 

“ That’s just what I’m doing,” returned 
Devereux. “ I’m suspending judgment as hard 
as I can. By the way, Earl, what did the pre- 
fect ask you in the dormitory last night ? ” 


142 


ETHELRED ErEsTOAT, 


‘‘ He asked me Whether I knew anything 
about Preston’s whereabouts, and I told him 
that Preston had run away; and that he was 
just about going off in the train which we heard 
whistling while he was speaking to me.” 

“ Did Mr. Raymond suspect that you had 
anything to do with his running away ? ” 

He didn’t ask me whether I had anything 
to do with it,” responded Earl, in a manner so 
reticent that Ed resolved at once to probe 
further. 

** But didn’t you tell him something ?” 

“ Not about you, Ed, or Haines.” 

** There! It’s just what I expected,” cried 
Ed, triumphantly. “You’ve told on yourself; 
— now, haven’t you ? ” 

“ The fact is,” returned Earl, with blushing 
uneasiness, “ I simply said I had helped Ethelred 
off.” 

“ What an elegant clam you would make, 
Earl. It is as hard to get informatioiji out of 
you sometimes as sense out of a clothes-line. I 
see your little plan. You want to take all the 
blame on yourself and save me.” 

“ Me too, ’’added Roger. 

“ Oh, you had nothing particular to do with 
it, Roger. You played a quiet second fiddle. 


ETHELRED PRES TORT, 143 

But if it had not been for me, Earl wouldn’t 
have let Ethelred go at all! If any one is to 
blame it is 1.” 

Not at all,” said Earl; “ I started him with 
the idea, and it seems to me that I am the 
responsible one. And even supposing you had 
as much to do with it as I had, Ed, still I didn’t 
say that I was alone in the matter; I simply 
said that I had helped. I’m on th& black-list 
anyhow just at present, and a little thing like 
that won’t change my position one way or the 
other.” 

At the beginning of morning studies, the vice- 
president entered the junior students’ study-hall, 
and made a few remarks upon Ethelred’s run- 
ning away and subsequent repentance. He 
informed the boys that Ethelred, owing to a 
peculiar combination of circumstances, had been 
allowed to return, but on probation. He con- 
cluded thus: 

I am sorry to say that one of the leading 
boys of the junior division has actually abetted 
the new-comer in his foolish notion. As the one 
who assisted him has confessed on himself, I 
shall take no action; but I cannot refrain from 
expressing my regret publicly that he should 
thus lend his countenance to Conduct which is 


144 ETHELRED PRESTOET. 

far worse than any ordinary breach of discipline. 
The boy who helps another to run away from 
school assumes a serious responsibility.” 

Earl hung his head, and his face was suffused 
with blushes. It was the third public reprehen- 
sion of his college course, and they had all three 
fallen within forty-eight hours of each other. 
Eddie Devereux was hardly less concerned. 
He knewihat through an act of friendship Earl 
had laid himself open to this public rebuke. 

Before class, Eddie was at the prefect of dis- 
cipline's room. 

“You were talking about Earl this morning, 
Father, when you spoke of the leading boy that 
had helped the Darling — I mean Ethelred — to 
run away.” 

“ That is true, Ed; what about it ? ” 

“ But he wasn’t to blame. Father. It was 
my fault. Earl had a scruple because the first 
time he met Ethelred he had made a remark 
against the college. He thought this remark 
was the cause of Ethelred’s wanting to run 
away; but I settled the scruple for him. I said 
that it would be a good thing for the college if 
Ethelred were to get out. He’s a queer sort of 
a fellow, and does not seem to fit in here. So 
I persuaded Earl to let him go, and it was I, 


ETHEIRED PRESTON. 


MS 

Father, that engineered the whole thing. Of 
course, Earl helped, but I was the leader, and 
Earl was simply following my plans. Last 
night Eail told the prefect that he helped Ethel- 
red off just in order to get me out of trouble.” 

” I am pleased to hear your side of the story, 
Eddie; but how could you bring yourself to 
help a boy run away ? You know that is a 
serious matter.” 

Devereux then explained his reasons for tak- 
ing this action, much in the same way as he had 
set them forth before Earl. While secretly 
amused. Father Howard was pleased by the 
explanation. Whatever he might think of the 
reasoning, he felt sure, at all events, that Earl 
and Ed had acted with some regard to the 
promptings of their consciences. 

” Thank you for speaking to me about this,” 
said Father Howard when Ed had come to an 
end. ” It relieves me very much to know that 
in helping Ethelred off there was nothing of the 
weakness and human respect and disregard for 
consciences which one naturally expects in such 
things. I no longer look upon Earl’s action in 
the same way; and I wish you would tell Earl 
so. As for yourself, I forgive you too; only, 
please don’t help runaways any more. 


146 ETHELRED PRESTON. 

** And now,” continued Father Howard, “ I 
have a word to say about Ethelred Preston. 
From what you have said I gather that yourself 
and Earl and many of the boys do not look 
upon him as a fit student for Henryton College. 
There were reasons for your thinking so yester- 
day. But it is well to know that Ethelred 
came here in a state of rebellion; he was not 
himself from the time of his entrance till he ran 
away. On reaching the railroad station last 
night, it seems that he entered into himself. 
Then, of his own free will, he came back here, 
and after apologizing for his previous conduct, 
he made very satisfactory promises to the presi- 
dent of the college. Now I ask you, and you, 
in turn, will ask Earl and others of the boys, to 
give the new-comer another chance. Don’t con- 
demn him prematurely. Show him a little kind- 
ness if you can.” 

All right, sir,” answered Eddie. ** We’ll 
give him a fair chance.” 

And, Eddie, kindly send Earl here; I wish 
to smooth over as much as possible ^the little 
misunderstanding of this morning.” 

“ All right, Father; I thank you very much.” 

As Devereux left the room, he wore a broad 
grin. First, he had vindicated Earl; secondly, 


ETHELRED PRESTON, 


147 


it struck him as a fit theme for smiling that the 
boy who had made such satisfactory promises of 
behavior before going to bed should begin the 
new day by lying and by repudiating his honest 
debts. 

'‘So he did run away after all. I wonder 
what brought him back. Maybe he came back 
because he entered into himself; but it’s pretty 
hard for me to believe that. I’d give a dollar 
to know the real reason why he came back.” 

And if Eddie had known the real reason for 
Ethelred’s return, this story would be finished in 
very short order indeed. 


148 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


CHAPTER XIIL 


IN WHICH ETHELRED BECOMES MORE MYSTERIOUS AND 
EARL MORE HEROIC. 


^DDIE DEVEREUX, notwithstanding his 
doubts concerning the sincerity of Ethel- 
red’s purpose of amendment, put himself, with 
the best of will, to carrying out the behest of 
Father Howard. He told such of his school- 
fellows as he came upon that Ethelred was really 
going to turn over a new leaf, and pleaded with 
them to give the interesting new-comer another 
chance. Thus appealed to, the junior students 
made no difficulty in laying aside their prejudices 
and feelings against Ethelred. For the present, 
at least, he might go his way unmolested. 
Indeed, they were almost deferential to him in 
their eagerness to comply with Father Howard’s 
wishes. 

Among themselves, however, there were many 
jokes passed about Ethelred’s manner of escape 
from the college. These witticisms were not 
intended for Ethelred’s ears; but that artless 


ETHELRED PRESTON, 149 

youth, Peter Lane, out of sheer benevolence, 
thought fit to make them known to him. 

“ I say,” he said, seating himself beside Ethel- 
red, who was watching a game of hand-ball, — 
I say, Darling, the fellows have been telling 
me that you’re going to drop your nonsense and 
turn over a new leaf,” 

Is that any of your business ? ” 

Well, you see. I’m not going to tease you 
any more,” explained the diminutive youth, 
rising, and standing with his arms akimbo before 
Ethelred; and I thought maybe you’d like to 
know it.” 

Ethelred glared savagely at the amiable 
urchin, but said nothing. 

“You were mad at me yesterday, I know,” 
continued Pete, “ and you started rough house 
on me when you got me alone. It would have 
been awful rough house for me, if Earl Meri- 
wether hadn’t come in and started rough house 
on you. But I just want to tell you I am not 
mad about it in the least.” 

“ Confound it,” growled Ethelred, “ who 
cares whether you’re mad or not ? ” 

“ But you ought to care. You see. I’m in 
with the other fellows, and we’re going to give 
you a fair chance.” 


150 ETHELRED PRESTON, 

“ Do you think, you wretched little sardine, 
that I care a snap whether you give me a chance 
or not ? ” 

“ You ought to. Darling.” 

But I don’t.” 

That’s because you’re so green,” said Peter 
complacently, and not one whit abashed. 

Say,” — here Peter broke into melodious giggles 
— you ought to hear some of the jokes that 
the fellows have been getting off on you.” 

“What jokes?” asked Ethelred, raising his 
nead, and speaking with an animation which had 
not, thus far, characterized his share of the 
dialogue. 

“ Oh, any amount — about your running away, 
you know. Some say you ran away just be- 
cause you got too much rope.” 

Peter laughed full-throated, while Ethelred 
gazed at him stolidly. 

“ Others,” Peter continued, “ say you didn’t 
get rope enough, and that’s the reason you went 
off with twenty feet that belonged to the gym- 
nasium. ” 

Ethelred’s stolid face changed, at these words, 
to an expression of anger, while Peter broke into 
another ringing laugh. 

“ And one of the fellows says that you took 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 15 1 

enough rope to hang yourself with easily; but 
you were afraid to hang yourself for fear of 
spoiling the rope.” 

“ Get away from here, will you, or I’ll kick 
you all over the yard,” cried Ethelred. 

Oh! — very well,” said Peter, and he added 
with much dignity, as he turned upon his heel, 
‘‘ I guess I know how to take a hint.” 

“ Halloa! Preston,” called Earl, from across 
the yard, “ your trunk has just come. If you 
like I’ll take you over to the clothes-room.” 

At this bit of news Ethelred involuntarily 
gave a start; but, recovering himself so quickly 
that those about failed to notice it, he arose and 
followed Earl. 

‘‘ By the way, Ethelred,” said Earl, kindly, as 
the two were walking towards the clothes-room, 

if there’s any little thing I can do for you, just 
let me know. I might help you out in some of 
your lessons, as you’re a little behind the class 
in the matter they saw before you came, or give 
you a few hints one way or the other. It’s a 
little hard on a new-comer here in the beginning, 
because he is a stranger and often doesn’t know 
the ways of boarding-schools.” 

“ I guess I can look out for myself right smart 
now,” responded the grateful youth. “ I got 


152 ETHELRED PRESTON'. 

caught yesterday; but you can bet I oon’t get 
caught again.” 

“ I suppose not,” assented Earl. “ If you 
settle down to study in earnest, it is not likely 
that the boys wilt try to bother you again. All 
you’ve got to do is to keep quiet for a week or 
so, till the boys begin to know you, and you 
feel more at home. They are good fellows here, 
but some of them like to tease. Now, by keep- 
ing quiet for a while, you keep these fellows vvho 
like to tease from getting a handle on you, and — ” 

“ You needn’t preach,” interrupted the Dar- 
ling, in his fascinating croak. 

Earl colored. 

^*Oh!” he ejaculated, as he bit his lip. 
** Here’s the clothes-room — come right in; 
there’s your trunk.” 

If there ever was a trunk that merited the 
epithet “dainty,” it was the trunk of Ethelred 
Preston. 

It was small, with bands, apparently of silver, 
which were fastened by numerous buttons of a 
golden color. Above the lock was a silver plate 
with the monogram E. P. traced in lines of a 
rare delicacy. It was such a trunk as the most 
callous baggage man would instinctively “ han- 
dle with care,” 


ETHELRED PRESTON, 


153 


Ethelred fell to rummaging in his pockets. 
Out of one he took a handful of buttons, a spool 
of thread, a cork in which were stuck four or 
five needles of various sizes, and a large clasp- 
knife. Out of another, a piece of bees-wax, a 
magnet, a can-opener, a small ball of twine, and 
a bunch of keys, which he examined carefully. 

Halloa! ” he exclaimed. 

What’s the matter, Ethelred ? ” 

I — I’ve lost my trunk key. It was on this 
bunch when I came; but it’s gone. I’ve been 
robbed.” 

There are no thieves in this school,” said 
Earl, sharply. He added in a milder tone, as 
he stooped to examine the lock of the trunk: 
‘‘ It’s too bad. I see that it’s a skeleton key, 
too, and Tm afraid the brother has nothing to 
open it with. I say, Brother John, Ethelred 
Preston has lost the key of his trunk. Do you 
think you can open it for him, please ? ” 

The brother, laying aside some work upon 
the long table which ran almost the length of 
the room, stepped over and scrutinized the lock. 
Neither Earl nor Brother John, so absorbed were 
they in examining the trunk, noticed how pale 
Ethelred had become. 

I think there will be some difficulty in 


*54 


ETHELFED PRESTON. 


Opening this trunk,” said the clothes-keeper ; 

the lock is not an ordinary one.” 

Ethelred drew a deep breath. 

You needn’t take no trouble,” he said, in 
his usual choice diction; there’s another key 
at home, and I can send for it, and get it inside 
of three days. While I’m waiting I reckon 
Meriwether can lend me some of his duds just 
as I need ’em.” 

Ethelred, as his last remark shows, was him- 
self again. 

“ All right, Ethelred,” said Earl, heroically. 
He was forcing himself to remember, poor boy, 
that Ethelred ’s mother and his own had been 
dear friends, and it consoled him to think that 
his mother, now in heaven, must surely know and 
appreciate the struggles against feeling and 
sentiment which he was making for love of her. 

“ Lend me a few collars, then, and some cuffs, 
and a tie or two, and five or six collar buttons.” 

In a word, before they left the clothes-room, 
Ethelred had secured the loan of a suit of 
clothes, a pair of suspenders, of ear-muffs, and 
of gloves, a scarf, a silk handkerchief, and a 
football sweater. The boy had a passion for 
borrowing. 

During study-hours that day, Ethelred was 


ETHELRED PRESTON, 155 

observed to be writing a great deal ; and in the 
intervals for play and the recesses, he was seen 
to hold several interviews with a certain day- 
scholar, Farwell by name, whose reputation with 
the boarders at Henryton stood by no means 
high. 

“ Tm afraid,” remarked Devereux to Earl, 
shortly before supper, that the Darling is up 
to some new mischief. Somehow, I can’t help 
keeping my eyes on him. You may be sure, he 
wasn’t talking to that day-scholar for nothing. 
I’m not quite certain yet, but I’m willing to bet 
that he gave him a letter, perhaps two or three 
letters, to post outside.” 

Perhaps he doesn’t know the rule,” sug- 
gested Earl, charitably. 

Oh, no — of course not,” returned Eddie, 
with a touch of sarcasm in his voice. “And 
then, too. I’ve noticed that he fights shy of 
most of the boarders except you.” 

“ I’ve noticed that too,” said Earl, with a 
smile. “ In fact, he’s been good enough to call 
my attention to it. He says he likes to talk to 
me because I’m not a Catholic like the rest of 
the fellows. After dinner he stuck to me the 
whole time, and abused everything Catholic. 
Oh, it was hard ! He’s got the idea into his head 


156 ETHELRED PRESTON. 

that I am being hoodwinked by the people here; 
and so he’s trying to put the Catholic Church 
before me as he sees it. To him it’s a night- 
mare.” Earl paused a moment with a vexed 
expression upon his face, and added: “If he 
only knew the effect that his talk is having on 
me, I think he would leave the Catholic Church 
severely alone.” 

This last remark Eddie connected with an 
incident which happened after supper. It was 
Saturday, and, though not the regular monthly 
confession day, a goodly number of the junior 
students, many of whom were weekly communi- 
cants, repaired to the chapel. Among those 
stationed near Father Noland’s confessional, 
Eddie started on perceiving Earl Meriwether. 
One by one, in regular order, the boys entered 
the confessional, and returned shortly, stationed 
themselves further back in the chapel, where, 
after the manner of well-trained Catholic youths, 
they renewed their good resolutions, and begged 
for strength to observe them. Eddie was one 
of the first to make his confession, and on finish- 
ing took a place where he could keep his eye on 
Earl. You may be sure, the warm-hearted lad 
prayed fervently for his friend. 

Ten or twelve minutes passed. All the peni- 


ETHELRED PrEsTOM. !S7 

tents of Father Noland had had their turn 
except Earl, who still knelt motionless, his eyes 
fixed on the beautiful statue of the Sacred 
Heart. 

“ I wonder whether he is really going in,” 
mused Eddie, and he prayed again and again 
that it might be so. 

His eyes brightened when Earl, a few moments 
later, with downcast eyes and clasped hands, 
entered the confessional. He came out so soon, 
however, as to surprise Eddie ; and as he walked 
from the confessional back into the body of the 
chapel, he gave his waiting friend a quick 
glance. Eddie read the meaning of that glance. 
It meant: ‘‘Wait forme; I have something to 
tell you.” 

A few minutes passed in silent prayer; then 
the two arose, genuflected, and went out 
together. 

“ Eddie,” Earl began, as they made their way 
down the stairs, “ you think I went to confession, 
don’t you? Well, I didn’ t go that far exactly. 
Here’s what I did. I went in to Father Noland, 
and told him that I was a Protestant — you see, 
he didn’t look at me, nor seem to know who I 
■was — and I said that I didn’t care about making 
a confession ; but that I felt troubled a great deal 


158 ETHELRED PRES TOM. 

and would like to have a talk with him in pri- 
vate.” 

“And do you mean to say,” broke in Eddie, 
“that you’ve had your talk, and told all your 
troubles already?” 

“Indeed, I do not,” answered Earl with a 
faint sniile. “ I told him a little; that is, I gave 
him a general idea of the things that were bother- 
ing me; and he proposed that I should go to his 
room, and talk the whole matter over with him 
at greater length. I’m going; but honestly, Eddie, 
I’m awfully upset just at present. Things have 
come to such a pass that I have been almost 
forced to go and consult with somebody.” 

“ It must be pretty bad with you, Earl,” said 
Eddie, with much sympathy in his voice, “or 
you would keep your troubles to yourself. I’ve 
noticed all along that you don’t talk overmuch 
about your own doings and feelings.” 

“No,” assented Earl, “ I’ve always made it a 
point to keep myself to myself; and, if anything, 
I have carried it too far. But now I’m going to 
try and open my heart for once ; and I hope you’ll 
pray for me, Eddie ; for I feel that there’s some- 
thing .serious about the present state of affairs — 
that is, I think that I’ve come to a point where 
I have to change in one way or another, and that 


ETHELRED PRESTOI^. 


159 


change is to be ibr^better or for worse. It’s the 
jumping off place.” 

‘‘You may rely on it, I’ll pray for you, Earl. 
And don’t worry, you’ll have no trouble in talk- 
ing to Father Noland. He has been dealing 
with boys all his life, and nothing you can tell 
him will astonish him in the least.” 

“ I believe you, Eddie, and besides he’s so old. 
His long white hair and his kind face and his 
pleasant voice give him such a fatherly air. Even 
in the few minutes I spent with him just now, I 
found that he is even kinder than he looks, which 
is saying a great deal. I’m going to Father How- 
ard now to get permission to see Father Noland 
in his room during first hour of studies.” 

Despite these words, it was with no little ner- 
vousness and hesitation that Earl, ten minutes 
later, knocked at Father Noland’s door. 


i6o 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


CHAPTER XIV. 

IN WHICH EARL HAS A MOMENTOUS INTERVIEW 
WITH FA THER NOLAND. 

“ '^AKE a chair, Earl,’' said Father Noland, 
laying aside his glasses and breviary, and 
pointing to a seat beside him. “You are wel- 
come, my boy.” 

Father Noland had risen to greet his visitor. 
He seated himself after these words; but the act 
of courtesy was not lost upon the boy. Earl 
was extremely sensitive to kindness and consider- 
ation. 

“Thank you. Father,” answered Earl, as he 
took the chair which the venerable priest had 
motioned him to. “I hate to come to any man 
with my troubles.” 

The Father smiled. 

“And I believe I understand your reason,” 
he said. “You are one of those characters that 
are called self-reliant. You want to fight out 
everything by yourself.” 

“ I believe so. Father.” 

“With you, Earl, it is a good trait carried. 


ETHELRED PRESTON. i6i 

perhaps, to extremes ; and extremes are bad. It 
is well sometimes for the wisest of us to take 
counsel. As the saying is — a saying, of course, 
that is not true, in many cases — ‘ no man is a 
good judge in his own cause.’ ” 

‘‘Yes, Father; I am beginning to find that 
out. I am very proud, and it hurts me to talk 
of my troubles. But I am going to talk about 
them now ; and to begin with I should like to 
speak of my troubles with Mr. Gade.” 

Earl then proceeded to narrate the untoward 
events which had lately come to pass in the class- 
room. He did not give Mr. Gade’s side, for the 
simple reason that he was ignorant of it. More- 
over, with the narrowness of judgment which 
years and experience alone can remove, Earl did 
not even imagine that there was any other side, 
any other stand-point than his own. But the 
venerable Father, who lent him an attentive and 
a sympathetic ear, could easily read between the 
lines, and supply the omissions of an honest 
though one-sided statement. 

“Well, Earl,” he said, “is it owing to these 
class-room troubles alone that you have come to 
see me? ” 

“No, sir; there’s something far more serious 
besides ; it is the question of religion. I am a 


i 62 


ETHELRED PRESTON, 


Lutheran, Father, and I feel bound by a promise, 
which I made to my mother, to hold fast to my 
religion. But then, on the other hand, my con- 
science is worrying me a great deal, and insists • 
that I must become a Catholic. Just three days 
ago, I made up my mind for good — at least, so I 
thought then — never even to think of joining the 
Catholic Church. Up to that time, I had been 
doubting, and didn’t know my own mind. I did 
not feel quite sure at that time that it was my 
duty to become a Catholic ; I only doubted. But 
since then every doubt I had as to my duty to 
join the Catholic Church has been removed ; and 
now the one thing that holds me back is the 
promise which I made to my mother when she 
was on her death-bed.” 

“ Just a moment ago, Earl, you said that you 
had made up your mind never again to consider 
the claims of the Catholic Church.” 

“Yes, Father; three days ago.” 

“ How comes it, then, that you have so sud- 
denly changed your resolution? 

“ Father, I have been converted, or rather 
next to converted, by somebody else.” 

“ By Eddie Devereux, perhaps? ” 

“No, Father; but by our new-comer — by 
Ethelred Preston.” 


ETHELRED PRES TOM. 


163 


^‘Indeed ! ” exclaimed Father Noland, opening 
his eyes. “Why, I was under the impression 
that Ethelred is not a Catholic. In fact, he told 
me so himself in very emphatic language.’' 

“He is not a Catholic, Father; he is what 
most people call a Protestant, though he is no 
more a Protestant, as I understand religion, than 
I am a Jew. A real Protestant is entitled to 
respect ; but these fellows whose only religious 
practices consist in ridiculing, and abusing, and 
lying about Catholics, and in telling bug-a-boo 
stories of priests and nuns and the inquisition 
have no right whatever to be called Protestants. 
They are — they are — ” Earl paused for a mo- 
ment. “They are either great fools or silly 
liars. Now I think Ethelred is a fool.” 

“But how in the name of common sense did 
a boy whom you consider a fool convert you, 
Earl?” 

“ In two ways, sir; first of all, Ethelred’s con- 
duct and manners forced me to think of what I 
might have been, if I had not been sent to school 
here. Ever since I’ve been at Henryton, Father, 
I’ve had a chance to go with the nicest and best 
boys one would want to meet with. I don’t 
mean to say that I have not come across any bad 
boys ; they have come here, sir, and most of them 


64 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


of that kind have either changed or gone. At 
any rate, where there are so many good fellows 
to choose from, there’s no need to go with bad 
boys. So, it was easy for me in a way to be 
good here until lately ; and then I began to see 
that something else was necessary besides good 
company. I have to fight against myself, too ; 
and it is a terrible fight sometimes! For nearly 
the last six or seven months, my temptations 
have been teaching me the meaning of that 
Scripture text, ‘ the kingdom of heaven is taken 
by violence.’ I used to wonder what it meant. 
But now I find it harder and harder to be good, 
and it seems to me that if I were to begin to go 
wrong, I might become very bad.” 

^‘So you have found it out at last,” put in 
Father Noland. My dear Earl, I have been 
watching your course wilh interest ever since you 
came here, and I have long thought that you would 
some day come to see me, just as you have come 
to-day; and it has long been my intention to tell 
you on your coming my opinion that you are 
going to turn out, in all probability, either a very 
bad, or a very good man. Yes, Earl; I firmly 
believe that for you there is no middle course. 
Earl, you are a boy of very strong passions.” 

Earl gazed in astonishment at Father Noland. 


ETHELRED PRESTON, 165 

‘‘ Who told you that, sir?” 

Father Noland laughed softly. 

‘ ‘ When an everyday man brings a watch to the 
watchmaker, and while he is telling what he 
knows about it, the watchmaker at a single glance 
into the works knows all that the man can tell, 
and sometimes a great deal more. You take the 
allegory?” 

“Yes, Father; but I didn’t think any one 
knew what you said about me except God. In 
fact, I didn’t know it myself till lately. Now 
with regard to Ethelred Preston, Father; what 
I say is not to be used against him.” 

“ Of course not, Earl: I feel bound to secrecy 
on everything that takes place between us in this 
talk.” 

“ I don’t like to say it, for I hate to say any- 
thing against any boy ; but I can’t keep it back 
if I wish to make myself clear to you. It is this: 
Ethelred Preston is a bad boy. I don’t mean to 
say that he is rude and rough and uncouth ; any 
one here can see for himself, without being told 
of it, that Ethelred is not a gentleman. How he 
came to get such manners is beyond me ; for his 
mother is a lady. But besides being rude and 
boorish, he is a bad boy. He says wicked and 
vile things. He has no sense of honesty. He 


i66 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


goes by his feelings, and doesn’t seem to know 
the meaning of self-restraint. And as I got to 
noticing this, I began to think of what might 
happen to me. I wasn’t afraid. Father, of be- 
coming rude and boorish ; I don’t think that I 
could ever fall so low, with my mother’s memory 
and my college training upon me, as to lose all 
sense of decency. But, then, it did seem to me 
that I might fall very soon into sinful ways, and 
that if once I went that way, I might lose con- 
trol over myself. And then, although I should 
not resemble Ethelred in his manners, still I 
should be like him in his badness of heart. I 
don’t know. Father, whether I make my feelings 
clear to you.” 

“I understand, Earl; you have gone below 
the surface of things where people of the world 
generally stay, and you are trying to look at 
your position from God’s standpoint. God 
does not look at the manners of a man so much 
as at his heart. He judges boors and gentlemen 
from their interior dispositions. Sinlessness 
and culture do not necessarily go hand in hand.” 

“Yes, Father; that’s it. It seemed to me 
that if I were once to go wrong, I should be in 
just the same class as Ethelred, no matter how 
different we should appear to people around us, 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


167 


and the thought frightened me. My mother 
gave me a great horror of sin, and everything I 
have heard here has helped to keep me away 
from it. But sometimes it has seemed impossi- 
ble for me to do my duty, to do right. Every 
day it has grown harder and harder, till some- 
times I have become utterly discouraged. Some- 
times, too, it has seemed to me that I am con- 
quered, that I have fallen into sin. And all the 
time there is Ethelred, poor fellow, before me 
with his want of self-control and with all the 
ugliness of sin to scare me at the prospect of 
what I may become.” 

“And am I to understand, then, Earl, that 
Ethelred has converted you from the fact that 
he is a bad boy ? ” 

“That is one of the reasons, Father; but the 
other reason, and perhaps the principal reason, is 
that he got me to arguing with him about re- 
ligion. He spoke so bitterly of Catholics, that 
I lost my temper and began to defend them. 
Then he attacked different doctrines of the 
Church, and I couldn’t help trying to answer 
him. It seems he has read a lot of books 
against Catholic teachings, and he brought up 
some objections I had never heard before. They 
stunned me at first.” 


i68 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


‘‘And do you want an answer for them yet, 
my boy? ” 

“No, Father; I thought out some of the dif- 
ficulties myself, and I read up the others out 
of books in our college library. The more 
we talked, the more I saw how strong was 
the position of the Catholic Church. In the 
long run, my reading and thinking and arguing 
made things so clear to me that I now feel 
sure that the Catholic Church is the true Church 
and the only true Church.” 

“Well, what next, Earl?” 

“ There’s the rub. Father; my promise to my 
mother.” 

“ Your father was a Catholic, my boy ?” 

“ Yes, sir. ” 

“ And your aunt who now has charge of you 
is a Catholic? ” 

“ Yes, sir.” 

“And there is no one in authority over you 
to object to your becoming a Catholic?” 

“ No, sir.” 

Father Noland paused for a moment. 

“ Earl, I know that you believe your mother 
is in heaven.” 

“ Father, I think she was a saint of God.” 

“ So do I, my dear boy. Did it ever occur 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


169 


to you, Earl, that she is keeping watch and ward 
over you ? I too, my boy, believe, as I said, 
that she is in heaven ; and she loves you yet, 
and prays for you.” 

“ It must be so,” said Earl fervently, and oh, 
so gratified. His heart had grown warm within 
him as much at the manner as at the words of 
the kind priest. 

“Now, Earl, I do not intend to solve your 
difficulty for you. You can do that for yourself. 
What you need is more light. If you prepare 
your heart, God will give it to you. I can help 
you, I believe, to prepare your heart. Earl, 
you must go to your teacher and explain your 
conduct.” 

“ Ed rather not, sir.” 

“Exactly; it will be a humiliation for you; 
and God gives light to those who humble them- 
selves. But you must do it; it is your duty. 
Look at the circumstances for a moment. 
Since the retreat, you have failed to give satis- 
faction in class. Your teacher noticed that, but 
he did not know the troubled and restless state 
you were in. He was quite right in thinking it 
his duty to call you to account.” 

“ Perhaps he was, sir.” 

“Of course he was; you do not wear your 


170 


ETHELRED PRESTON'. 


heart on your sleeve. According to your own 
account, you are extremely reticent.” 

“That’s my way, Father.” 

“ Exactly. And again, when Mr. Gade 
called you to order in class, you took the correc- 
tion in bad part.” 

“ But he was wrong, sir.” 

“That is, Earl, he was not infallible. Only 
God can read the heart. According to all 
appearances, his action was fully warranted. He 
acted according to his best judgment, whereas 
your conduct was dictated by pride.” 

“Yes; and when he spoke to me so kindly 
to-day. Father, I was rude. Fm beginning to 
be more and more ashamed of myself.” 

“And your duty is to apologize and explain. 
There is no doubt in the matter. Think, Earl, 
of your mother in heaven, and put the case 
before her. And I am sure that in your heart 
you can fancy her answering in but one way. 
And to your mother also, you will go about 
your religious difficulties. As I said, I shall not 
answer you on that point. The question for 
you to answer is, what does she wish you to do 
in the light of her present knowledge — how does 
she wish you to keep the promise which you 
made her. You promised to be true to your 


ETHELRED PRESTOJST, 


171 

religion. What is your religion ? By the way, 
Earl, you have, I take it for granted, been 
baptized?'’ 

“I think so, Father; at least. I’ve always 
taken it for granted.” 

“Most probably you have been; however, on 
a question so important, one should be contented 
with nothing less than certainty ; so it would be 
well to look the matter up. Now, Earl, go and 
pray. And remember, my boy, while you pray, 
your mother in heaven is praying with you.” 

“ Thank you very much. Father; I will follow 
your advice as well as I can. It seems to me 
that I now begin to see my way. Good-bye, 

F ather. ’ ' 

Earl went to the chapel, and threw himself on 
his knees before a painting of the Good Shep- 
herd. After a little, he deliberately arose, and 
took a position before the statue of the Immacu- 
late Mother. For the first time in his life Earl 
found himself raising his troubled heart in love ' 
and confidence to her whose sweet intercession 
never fails of bringing relief. 


172 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


CHAPTER XV. 

IN WHICH THE DARLING GOES INTO BUSINESS, AND 
THE MIDGETS INTO BANKRUPTCY. 

“W HAT makes you look so cheerful, Earl? ” 
asked Eddie, on the following Sunday 
afternoon. 

“I’ve had a talk with Mr. Gade; and now 
everything is all right between us. I wanted to 
apologize before the whole class, and he wouldn’t 
hear of it. He says if there’s any apologizing 
to be done, he’ll do it himself. Then I begged 
him not to speak about the matter at all, and he 
has promised. I like him better than ever now. 
When he explained to me all his reasons for ob- 
jecting to my conduct, I felt that I had laid my- 
self open to being misunderstood, and that in- 
stead of being too hard he had been too easy 
on me.” 

“ Mr. Gade is a trump,” said Eddie ; and there 
was gladness written upon his face. 

“ It cost me a lot to go up to him, though,” 
continued Earl. “I haven’t done much apolo- 
gizing in my life, and it doesn’t seem to come 
natural. Last evening, after I had that talk 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


173 


with Father Noland, I went off, and prayed, and 
prayed for courage. And I got it from the 
Blessed Virgin. And now I have to go and 
pray for one more thing; and I ’m going to pray 
to her again.” 

“You needn’t tell me what it is, ’’said Eddie. 
I can guess it. There’s only one thing I’d like 
to suggest.” 

“ What is that? ” 

Eddie blushed and hummed for a moment. 

“Well, you might want a godfather and — and 
— say, Earl, won’t you take me? ” 

And then the two lads laughed and giggled ; 
but for all their laughing and giggling, one could 
see that in the hearts of each were a great happi- 
ness and a great love. 

“ Maybe I’ll need you, Eddie. I don’t see 
my way yet, but I feel that it may come.” 

“ Surer than Christmas, ” said Eddie cheerfully. 
“Halloa! there’s our dear Mamma’s Darling 
tackling a small boy.” 

They had turned the corner of the class-room 
building, and come suddenly upon two boys. 
One was Ethelred ; the other a very small boy, 
Willie Reardon by name. Ethelred was holding 
Willie by the coat, and speaking, apparently, 
with great earnestness. On catching sight of 


174 ETHELREU PrESTOI^, 

Earl and Eddie, he slunk away with an expres-* 
sion of annoyance on his face, which did not 
escape the quick eye of Devereux. 

Was the Darling trying to sell you some- 
thing, Willie? ” 

“Yes. He had a silver watch chain, which 
he said was worth over two dollars and fifty 
cents, and offered it to me for thirty cents.” 

“ Did you buy it? ” 

“ Not for thirty cents. I jewed him down to 
twenty.” 

“ He tried to sell me that chain,” laughed 
Earl, “ for fifty cents. What a fellow he is.” 

“ But wasn’t he trying to get something else 
out of you when we came round the corner?” 
continued Eddie. 

“Yes: he offered to lend me twenty cents 
cash, if I’d pay him twenty-five cents on Tues- 
day when I get my pocket-money. I bought 
the chain the same way, — for twenty cents; but 
on Tuesday when we get our pocket-money. I’m 
to pay him twenty-five cents.” 

“Oho!” cried Eddie, his eyes snapping, 
“now I’m beginning to understand. Did you 
notice, Earl, that the Darling has been holding 
confidential talks with nearly every little chap in 
the yard? ” 


ETHELRED PRESTOI^. 


175 


‘‘Yes,” responded Earl, “ now that you speak 
of it, it does strike me that he has been up to 
something.” 

“Up to something! ” repeated Eddie. “ It’s 
quite clear what he’s been up to. Why, the yard 
has been flush with money to-day — didn’t you 
see the crowd at the candy store, and the way 
the pies went ? And think of its being a Sun- 
day — five days since the fellows got their pocket- 
money.” 

“That is strange,” said Earl, “especially 
since I collected fifteen cents from every boy last 
Tuesday for the football fund.” 

“ And that is precisely what has helped on 
Ethelred’s plans. He saw that the small boys 
were hungry and hard up this morning, and he’s 
been lending them twenty cents or so, provided 
they pay him back twenty-five cents next Tues- 
day.” 

“ It’s a regular confidence game,” cried Earl, 
indignantly. “I’ll stop that thing right now, 
even if I have to pay the extra money myself. 
If there’s anything I hate, it is imposing on a 
little boy. Why, that fellow is as selfish as — 
confound it. I’ll go and see him at once, and 
give him a piece of my mind.” 

“No you don’t, Earl,” said Eddie, catching 


176 


ethelred prestoi^. 


his indignant friend by the arm. ‘‘Just wait 
till weVe talked it over. I think I see a way of 
fixing the matter without any trouble. There’s 
no use in fighting when fun will answer just as 
well. Now look here, Willie Reardon, you see 
the way things are, don’t you?” 

“ I see that the Darling has been working us 
little boys for all we’re worth,” answered Willie 
ruefully. “ I know two fellows he lent fifteen 
cents to, and he is to get a quarter back from 
each.” 

“ Well,” whispered Eddie, poking his index 
finger into Willie’s face, “ I want you to keep 
quiet for a while ; if you talk, you’ll spoil the 
fun, and besides, you’ll lose money. Just leave 
the matter to me and Earl and Roger, and you’ll 
find that everything will turn out all right. 
Now, you’ll keep quiet, won’t you?” 

“ Of course.” 

“Very well; clear off now, and tell Roger 
Haines we want to see him right away. Earl, 
I’ve got a grand scheme. Listen.” 

Ed fell into a whisper, and unfolded his plan. 
Earl, as he listened, actually laughed. Pres- 
ently Roger came up, and was admitted into 
their confidence. For nearly an hour did the 
three conspirators put their heads together ; and 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


177 


when they had come to an agreement, they were 
as jolly a trio of boys as could be found. 

In a body they went up to the treasurer’s 
room. They entered giggling, and even after 
the door had closed them in, any one passing 
along the corridor could hear now and then a 
merry laugh. And the loudest laugher of them 
all was the treasurer himself. Father Harter, 
the treasurer of Henryton College, was a hale 
old man with a clear eye and a venerable face. 
He had been dealing his life long with boys; and 
having been, so rumor ran, a harum-scarum him- 
self, he could sympathize with wild boys, and 
being a man of tender heart and generous senti- 
ment, he loved and was loved by every student 
with whom he came into contact. Only one 
charge had ever been lodged against the gray- 
headed, cheerful old Father; he was too lenient 
in his judgment. If God could err, it would be 
on the side of leniency. 

The three boys came out presently, and it was 
evident, from their faces, that Father Harter had 
entered heartily into their scheme. 

Although they talked together confidentially 
at all odd moments on the following day, 
Devereux, nevertheless, contrived to keep close 
watch on Ethelred. This young gentleman was 


178 


ETHELRED FEES TON. 


behaving strangely. There was an air of restless- 
ness about him. He held two secret conferences 
with Farwell, the day-scholar, and during the 
second received from him a letter. Eddie saw the 
envelope slipped stealthily from Farwell’s hand 
to the other’s, and he felt almost sure that some- 
thing was wrong. Had he but seen the address 
upon the envelope, his suspicions would have re- 
ceived the strongest confirmation. 

“ Fm willing to bet the money that I lent the 
Darling against five cents that Ethelred is going 
to run away again,” he said to his two chums. 

“ Oh, he’ll not do that,” said Earl. “ There 
would be no sense in his running away after that 
first attempt of his. It doesn’t stand to reason. 
Why did he come back ? And now why should 
he want to run off again ? There’s no sense in 
the matter.” 

“ If you go to reasoning about it, you have 
me,” answered Ed. But all the same, he’s 
going to go, — and soon too. He has been get- 
ting things together, and borrowing right and 
left, and he’s been studying up the best way to 
get out of here. He tackled several fellows about 
it.” 

“ That reminds me,” said Earl. “ He took a 
walk with me on the road back of the college, a 


ETHELRED PRESTON, 


179 


little before dinner this morning, and he seemed 
very much interested in the trees that line it. He 
remarked that it would be easy for a boy to slip 
out through the back gate and take the road for 
a hundred yards or so, and then turn and cut 
across a few fields to the village. Then I asked 
him whether he was thinking of running away 
again, and he began to protest most eagerly that 
he had not the least thought of doing so, till I 
shut him up. It didn’t occur to me then that 
there was anything back of his eagerness ; but now 
that you have spoken, Ed, I begin to think that 
he wasn’t quite natural.” 

‘‘ Exactly,” assented Ed. ‘‘He protests too 
much.” 

“ It’s pretty clear,” put in Roger, “ that if the 
Darling intends running away again, he’s not 
going to publish it on the house-tops.” 

“ If there’s any one knows it,” added Earl, “ it 
is Farwell. He’s a crooked day-scholar, and 
whenever a tough character gets into our yard, 
Farwell always becomes his chief friend.” 

“ I think he won’t run away till to-morrow 
night,” continued Ed. “ He won’t go to-day, 
because if he did, he would go off minus all the 
money he lent. To-morrow he collects every- 
thing that is due him. As far as I can make out. 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


i8o 

'' he counts on making nearly two dollars on his 
various loans and bargains.” 

“ He has a lot of clothes belonging to me,” 
added Earl. 

And he borrowed a pen-knife and a necktie 
of me,” said Roger. 

“ And he wanted to borrow my rubber coat,” 
said Devereux, “and he got the rubber. Ex- 
cuse the slang, but we must have our little joke. 
Well,” he continued, “ everything is fixed for 
to-morrow morning, I believe. And during the 
day, we can study up Ethelred’s plans for getting 
away from here. I’m afraid,” he added, as the 
bell rang for night studies, “ that I’ll study more 
Ethelred than lessons to-night. If he were to 
stay here much longer, I should lose my class- 
standing. Good-night, boys. Just try to keep 
alive till to-morrow morning.” 

And indeed they were very much alive, the 
next day, when, after breakfast, they scampered 
from the refectory to the corridor on which was 
situated the treasurer’s office. Every boy in the 
small yard took part in that scampering, each one 
endeavoring to get a position nearest the treas- 
urer’s room. Within two minutes after leaving 
the refectory, the junior students were all drawn 


ETHELRED PRESTON, i8l 

Up in line, pushing and tugging and pinching and 
sparring, after the manner of their kind. 

The first lad in the line, Eddie Devereux, had 
knocked softly, once, twice, thrice. But there 
came no answer. He was about to knock again, 
when the third boy in the line anticipated him 
by reaching forward, and giving the door a vio- 
lent blow with his clinched fist. He then 
slipped back into his place, leaving Eddie to 
take the consequences. 

The pushing and tugging ceased like magic; 
and all awaited in expectant silence the result. 

Father Harter threw open his door with some 
energy, and glared severely down the line, 
Ethelred, who stood at the very end, keeping 
watch upon the door which led to the yard, was 
perceptibly nervous. He quailed before the look 
upon the treasurer's face. 

“ What do you mean by knocking that way on 
my door, Eddie Devereux?” cried Father Harter, 
with much fierceness of manner. 

“ It was a mistake,” said Ed. 

And what do all you boys want at this time 
of the day?” 

“ It’s Tuesday morning. Father,” exclaimed 
Pete Lane, who was far down the line. 


i 82 


ETHELRED ERESTOAT. 


^^Well, suppose it is; what about it?” 

^‘Pocket-money day,” cried at least twenty 
voices. 

“Not to-day,” said Father Harter. “Owing 
to certain circumstances, none of you extrava- 
gant boys get one cent of pocket-money this 
morning.” 

And Father Harter stepped back into his room, 
closed the door, and turned the key in the lock. 

Some groaned, some laughed, a few, who 
were in the joke, along with Earl, Eddie, and 
Roger, looked rueful. As for Ethelred, he broke 
out into a volley of muttered curses. His face 
had grown pale, and his fingers were clutching at 
the lapels of his coat. He was in a state of in- 
tense excitement. 

“Hey there! You fellows don’t get out this 
door,” he bawled at Peter Lane and five or six 
other small boys, “until you’ve paid me my 
money.” 

“ Who owe you money? ” asked Devereux. 

“These fellows,” said Ethelred, pointing out 
the eleven midgets of the yard. 

While he was pointing out his debtors Roger 
slipped over to Ed and whispered in his ear. 

“Do you notice it’s the third eleven of the 
foot-ball association to a man? ” 


ETHEL RED PRESTON, 183 

“Yes; and I catch the idea, too. — Darling,” 
he added aloud, “ Fd advise you to clear the 
way. These little fellows won’t stand much 
nonsense; you’d better let them out.” 

“Not till we’ve settled this affair,” snarled 
Ethelred. “I’ll spank anyone of them, if they 
try to go till I’m done.” 

“ Give him the wedge,” whispered Ed to 
Peter, the captain of the eleven. 

Peter’s eyes sparkled — a whisper ran through 
the bunch of midgets, and at once there were 
eleven pairs of eyes sparkling as one. 

“ Line up,” yelled Peter, falling back nine or 
ten yards from the spot where Ethelred stood 
with clenched fists. 

Ethelred’s eyes opened very wide, and his jaw 
dropped in wonder, when the midgets fell into 
their places for a rush. 

‘ Seven — eight — eleven — thirteen — twenty- 
two — keep your feathers on,” bawled Peter in 
his highest pipe. 

A wedge-shaped body of boys shot towards 
Ethelred, while Peter, detaching himself from 
the mass, came tripping quietly about the right 
end. Ethelred did not notice Peter; his eyes 
were fixed on the wedge. With a bellow, and 
putting his head down like a bull, he went 


184 ETHELRED PRESTON. 

three paces forward towards the approaching 
mass. While his foot was still raised for the 
fourth pace, Peter threw himself straight at his 
knees, plunging forward as a diver plunges into 
the water. Peter was a fearless tackier ; and fear- 
lessness is the secret of good tackling. In an 
instant the two were rolling upon the ground, 
Peter to the left, the Darling to the right, while 
between them with a ringing hurrah moved the 
wedge out through the door and into the yard, 
while the boys within looking on, forgetting the 
rules of the corridor, broke into the liveliest ex- 
pressions of applause. 

Peter and Ethelred struggled with all haste to 
their feet ; but Peter was the quicker artist, and 
darted off for the door, followed at a distance of 
several yards by the furious Darling. 

‘‘Are you hurt?” cried Devereux, catching 
one of Ethelred’s arms. 

“Just let me dust you,” said Roger, catching 
the other. 

“We’ll all dust you,” put in a third; and 
Ethelred found himself hemmed in by eighteen 
or nineteen youths, their faces full of sympathy, 
and such of their hands as could come into play 
beating upon his clothes. 

A door opened at the further end of the corri- 


ETHELRED PRESl'ON, 185 

dor, Father Howard’s face appeared, and the 
next moment every boy had somehow or other 
got back into the yard. 

“ It’s too bad. Darling,” said Devereux, link- 
ing his arm with Ethelred’s, while the other 
students, in obedience to a wink from him, left 
the two to themselves. 

“ I’m swindled,” croaked Ethelred. 

Did they promise to pay you to-day?” 

‘‘Yes; and I insist on their paying.” 

“ How much do they owe you? ” 

“ Four dollars and fifty cents.” 

“ Do you know how much each one owes 
you? ” 

“You just bet I do. Here.” Ethelred as he 
spoke pulled a paper from his pocket. “ This is 
a list of the boys who owe me, and the amount 
they owe.” 

“ And you insist on their paying to-day? ” 

‘■Yes, I do; I’ve got to have that money be- 
fore ni — that is, I must have that money; I want 
to buy a pair of shoes.” 

“Very well; I’ll see whether I can’t arrange 
matters. I’ll take this list along, and will do 
the best I can for you.” 

“Midgets ahoy!” called Ed, leaving the 
Darling disconsolate upon a bench. The midg- 


i86 


ETHELRED PRESTON, 


ets to a man came flocking about Devereux. 
They scented fun from afar. 

“There will be a meeting of the people who 
are in debt to Ethelred Preston right now in the 
play-room. All other boys will keep out.” 

At a run the midgets made for the play-room. 

“The meeting is called to order,” said Ed 
presently, with much gravity. “ Johnnie Mar- 
tin, take that chewing gum out of your mouth. 
Albert Winslow, please to sit straight. Keep 
quiet there, Jimmie Keller. Now listen while I 
read this paper.” 

“ The following boys have promised to pay 
me the following amounts on Tuesday morning: 


Peter Lane 


lent to him 

40 

William Reardon 


< i 

t { 

( i 

40 

Albert Winslow...., 


< < 

i i 

i < 

15 

Vincent Meade 


< i 

t ( 

i t 

55 

Johnnie Martin 


( < 

( < 

( i 

15 

Jimmie Keller 


i < 

( ( 

( ( 

15 

Joe Keller 


( ( 

1 1 

{ ( 

40 

David Arthur. ..... 


( ( 

< i 

< < 

35 

John Short 


( i 

i ( 

{ < 

20 

Eddie Hastings 


< c 

( i 


15 

Bernard Cassidy 


< ( 

( < 

< < 

40 

Total . . . . 

$4 50 



$3 40 


3 40 





Net gain 

$i 10 






Ethelred Preston. 


ETHELRED PRESTON. I §7 

P. S. — Vincent Meade is a soft one. He has 
lots of money, and it’s easy to get it from him. 
The whole lot of them is precious green, and I 
intend to make a nutherdoller or to out of them. 

E. P. 

This postscript, Eddie, for prudential reasons, 
did not read to the midgets. 

“ Now, is that all right ? ” inquired Eddie, 
raising his eyes from the paper. 

Each of the midgets answered affirmatively. 

“ And according to the agreement you are all 
bound to pay to-day? ” 

That’s so,” said Peter. 

“Well, there’s only one course left for you.” 

The midgets were now serious. 

“You must go into bankruptcy — you must 
make an assignment. You must appoint a 
receiver.” 

What big eyes the midgets had ! They sat 
silent and solemn. 

“ I’ll be your receiver, if you’ve no objections,” 
continued Ed suavely. 

“All right,” said several. “How are you 
going to do it ? ” 

“Let me explain,” said Eddie. “When 
people owe money, and are called upon to pay, 
and can’t do it, they are forced into bankruptcy. 


i88 


ETHELRED PRESTON, 


That’s just your fix. You owe money and can’t 
pay. You are obliged to pay what you can, 
and if Ethelred has no objection, you can go into 
business again. I must arrange that with him 
myself. Now, go through your pockets care- 
fully, and gather up all your money, and pass it 
over to me.” 

Peter found a penny in the lining of his coat, 
put it in his hat, and then going around, gathered 
in the small change from those who had any. 

“ Forty cents in all,” said Devereux. “ Boys, 
as far as I can make out each of you will pay 
eight cents on the dollar; that is, those who owe 
the Darling fifty cents will satisfy by paying four 
cents, and those who owe twenty-five cents by 
paying two cents.” 

He took out his note-book, and made a calcu- 
lation. 

“At that rate I find that your debts will be 
paid off for thirty-six cents.” 

“ And what’ll you do with the other four 
cents?” asked Johnnie Martin, a serious boy 
with a sharp face. 

“I shall keep that for my commission,” said 
Ed, cheerfully. 

“ Do you mean to say,” continued Martin, 


ETHELRED PRESTON, 189 

“ that after you pay the Darling those thirty-six 
cents, we don’t owe him anything more ?” 

“Not exactly ; only don’t let on to him or the 
joke will be spoiled. A bankrupt should pay his 
debts as soon as he can. You people should pay 
Ethelred what remains due to him as soon as you 
get your pocket-money.” 

The midgets all looked relieved — they were 
honest youngsters; they were delighted, too ; 
for they now saw that a good joke was on 
foot. 

“ I shall now, if you have no objections, young 
gentlemen, go over and try to fix up accounts 
with the Darling,” continued Eddie. 

He arose, and followed by the crowd crossed 
the yard. 

“ Ethelred Preston, you insist on payment? ” 

“Yes, I do.” 

“ Well, those little fellows can’t pay their debts 
in full, and as you insist on full payment, they 
have been forced to make an assignment, and 
have gone into bankruptcy.” 

Ethelred stared stolidly. 

“Well, I don’t care whether they go into 
bankruptcy or not. I want my money — that’s 
all.” 


190 ETHELRED PRESTOET. 

“ And as they have gone into bankruptcy,” 
pursued Devereux, ^‘they have appointed me 
their receiver.” 

“ Are you going to pay me my money?” in- 
quired Ethelred, with no little eagerness. 

“ Ethelred Preston, as receiver for the young 
gentlemen commonly called the midgets, I find 
that their assets amount to forty cents and their 
liabilities to four dollars and a half. You 
shall be paid eight cents on the dollar. Here it 
is — thirty- four cents.” 

won’t take it,” said Ethelred, angrily. 
‘‘Think I’m a fool ?” 

“ I’ll not tell you what I think. You should 
not ask questions like that. But you’ve got to 
take it; it’s the law.” 

“Get out!” squawked Ethelred. 

'“You will notice that we are out. Here’s 
the money.” 

“I’ll not take one cent,” howled Ethelred; 
and to the astonishment of many, his face began 
to twitch as though he were about to cry. After 
all, Ethelred had his feelings, too. 

This unexpected exhibition confused Eddie. 
He was a tender-hearted boy, and could face 
anything but tears. He paused to think. The 
joke was too hard on Ethelred. Devereux had 


ETHELRED PRESTON, 19I 

intended going much further; but he could not 
do a cruel thing. 

“ Oh, well, Preston,” he said, “ you’ll get all 
your money, if you only wait.” 

“ But I can’t wait. I want it now.” 

“Well, then, come along with me to Father 
Harter. He’ll fix it for you.” 

And Ed, followed by Preston, prgceeded to 
the treasurer’s room. 

Ethelred did not get his claim allowed in full. 
There was no net gain of one dollar and thirty 
cents. He received what he had lent, and went 
out with mixed feelings. His speculation had 
failed ; but at any rate he had come by his own. 

Then the midgets were summoned to Father 
Harter’s presence. 

“See here, you boys,” he began with a 
severity so pronounced that every lad in the 
room saw its insincerity, “ you deserve a good 
trouncing, every one of you.” 

“That’s so. Father,” said Peter Lane sweet- 
ly, catching one end of Father Harter’s cincture, 
while Johnny Martin fondled the other end. 

Father Harter’s face twitched. It was hard 
work for him to be stern with the ingenuous 
American small boy. 

“You needn’t think I’m going to give you 


192 


ETHELRED PRESTON'. 


any pocket-money now. I have just paid off 
your debts, and you may get along the best way 
you can for one week.” 

“O Father!” There were eleven voices in 
this cry of deprecation. 

“ I mean what I say. You boys have got to 
learn sense. There now, you can go.” 

Then spake up Vincent Meade, the full-back 
of the midgets. 

“ See here. Father Harter; you can’t fool us. 
We know you’re not angry.” 

^‘Yes I am, sir.” Again there was a slight 
twitching at the lips. 

The boys began to smile sweetly. 

“No, you’re not. You couldn’t get mad at 
Peter Lane and Johnnie Martin, if you tried. 

“ Get out of here, every one of you. Do you 
hear me ? Get out at once.” This time there 
was a twinkle in Father Harter’s eye; and the 
midgets knew that he was lost. 

“We’ll not go out till you laugh. Father,” 
said Vincent. 

Another twitch, another twinkle, and it was 
all over with the jolly treasurer of Henryton 
College. He laughed long to a very effective 
treble accompaniment. By the way, what a 
deal of laughing choruses we have been obliged 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


93 


to chronicle since the opening of this modest 
story. 

“ How much are you going to give us, Father? 
Let’s have our twenty-five cents just the same as 
though nothing had happened,” pursued Meade. 

There was a great deal of arguing before this 
question had been settled. Finally the midgets 
departed smiling and radiant, each one short just 
five cents of his regular weekly allowance. 

Some of my readers may consider Father 
Harter as a weak man in dealing with the stu- 
dents. In this they will agree with Peter Lane. 

^‘We can do what we like with him,” said 
Peter triumphantly, as the procession scurried 
into the yard. 

And yet there was not a boy in the crowd who 
was not the better and happier for this good 
Father’s so-called weakness. For his weakness 
was the weakness which is strength. In mat- 
ters of conduct and of duty. Father Harter could 
bend these boys as he pleased. At his sugges- 
tion, the stubborn boy became docile, the dis- 
couraged boy took heart of grace, the proud 
spirit humbled itself, and prayerless lips were 
moulded to earnest calls upon God. What 
others did with punishment and long labor, he 
did without effort. What others utterly failed 


194 


ETHELRED PRESTON, 


in, he accomplished with laborless triumph. 
And yet the secret of his success is not far to 
seek. He loved boys and sympathized with 
them. 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


195 


CHAPTER XVI. 

IN WHICH EDDIE DEVEREUX BECOMES A GODFATHER. 

o N Tuesday afternoon, Earl knocked at 
Father Noland’s door. 

“What makes you look so happy, my boy?” 
asked Father Noland, with the genial smile 
which was ever ready on the appearance of his 
boy-friends. 

“Because, Father,” answered Earl, taking a 
chair which the Father motioned him to, “my 
difficulty is gone; and I am now ready to be a 
Catholic.” 

“You feel quite sure of your position? ” 

“Yes, Father; and it came about in a way 
that looks providential. Yesterday and the day 
before, I went to the chapel and prayed hard 
for light. I thought of my mother, and it 
seemed to me that she too wanted me to be a 
Catholic. After praying I felt almost certain 
that it was my duty to do so. But I thought 
k would not hurt to wait until to-day for more 
light. Father, it has come in the queerest way 
imaginable.” 


196 ETHELRED PRESTON. 

“ How SO, Earl? ” 

“ At noon to-day I got a letter from my old 
nurse in reply to mine. It seems that she was 
commissioned while I was a little baby to see to 
my being baptized by a Lutheran clergyman. 
It was several weeks after my birth, and as my 
mother was still sick in bed, it was thought ad- 
visable not to put off my baptism till her recov- 
ery. The nurse started off to bring me to the 
church ; my father met her on the way, and 
bribed her to bring me back and pretend that I 
had been baptized. I suppose he intended to 
have me baptized by a Catholic priest later on, 
but for some reason or other it appears that he 
neglected doing so. So, Father, I am not even 
a Lutheran. Just think of it ! I can now start 
out with a clean record. I have tried to be a 
good boy, but I have missed it sometimes; and 
now once I am baptized the ugliness of the past 
is over forever. If I could have it my way. I’d 
be baptized at once and die.” 

“What a strange story!” said Father No- 
land. 

“Isn’t it? You remember when I came to 
see you last, how you advised me to look up the 
question of my baptism? I wrote at once to my 
old nurse. She answered on the instant of 


ETHELRED PRESTON', 


197 


receiving it. She writes that the thing has been 
on her conscience ever since. My father, she 
says, being a Catholic, wanted me to be baptized 
by a priest, and promised her that he would see 
to it. He intended to at the time, but he kept 
on putting it off and off till finally nothing was 
done. You can imagine how the letter surprised 
me. On reading it, every doubt was gone at 
once. My mother had asked me to promise to 
be true to my religion. She knows now, and I 
do, that my religion is the religion.” 

“You have answered the difficulty, Earl. 
Your mother’s wish was that you should be true 
to the true religion, and were she to appear to 
you now, she would bless your choice.” 

“ Father, I should like to be baptized to- 
morrow. It would be better to-day, if I were 
prepared ; but I want some time to get ready. 
I am happy now ; but I know that to-morrow 
will be the happiest day of my life.” 

Father Noland took the boy’s hand in his. 
He too was happy beyond expression. 

“ I want Eddie Devereux for my godfather,” 
continued Earl. 

“ Of course. And what about your first Com- 
munion? ” 

“ Couldn’t I make it right after baptism ? I 


198 E THELR ED PRES TON. 

am ready, Father. You know I have been 
here three years, and have paid attention to 
the Catechism instructions, especially this 
year. 

Father Noland considered this point for several 
minutes. 

“ Earl, next Friday will be the first Friday of 
the month, the day of the Sacred Heart. Sup- 
pose you put off your Communion till then. To- 
morrow I will baptize you after Mass, and then 
during that and the next day, you may get ready 
for Communion. Not that you do not know 
enough to receive the Blessed Eucharist, but in 
order that you may prepare your heart the 
better.” 

“And that will be another red-letter day in 
my life,” said Earl. “Yes; I like the plan. Fve 
always had a love for the Sacred Heart devotion, 
and besides, I can prepare for my general con- 
fession.” 

“You make no general confession, my boy.” 

“ How is that. Father? ” 

“ Because confession is for the sins committed 
after baptism. You may go to confession next 
Thursday night, if you wish, to tell all about 
what has happened since Wednesday morning; 
but as regards anything that occurred before your 


ETHELRED PRES TO AT. 


199 


baptism, that will never be matter for absolu- 
tion.’* 

Earl looked still happier. 

“ That makes it so easy for me,” he said. “ Of 
course, I was willing to tell all the sins of my 
life ; but it seemed such a hard job ; and then I 
was afraid I might leave out something important. 
But now it is so nice and easy. Father, I must 
go off and tell Eddie.” 

Eddie was far more effusive in his expressions 
of joy than Father Noland. As it happened, he 
had received three dollars from home at noon; 
and he at once treated every boy he could find. 
Very quickly the news of Earl’s conversion went 
round, and many warm and loving hearts rejoiced 
that the hero of the yard was about to receive 
the lovely baptismal robe. 

“ I say, Earl,” said Eddie, later on in the after- 
noon, “we’re going to have some great fun to- 
night ; but I suppose we had better count you 
out of it. It’s about Ethelred, you know.” 

“ Have you learned anything more ? ” 

“Yes; a great deal. One of the little boys 
heard the Darling telling that littlje wretch Far- 
well that all was fixed, and that he saw his way 
clear to getting away. Other fellows saw Ethel- 
red steal out into Mapletree road back of the 


200 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


College. He had several packages when he went 
out, and he disappeared in a clump of trees some 
distance down. When he came back again the 
bundles were gone. His box in the wash-room 
is empty, and he has been arranging his desk in 
the study-hall.” 

“ So he goes to-night, then ? ” 

“Yes; there’s scarcely a doubt about the mat- 
ter. He’ll not leave before recess after second 
hour, otherwise he might be missed, and sent for 
before the train passes.” 

“ And do you intend to let him run away ? ” 

'‘Yes,” said Eddie: “ he’ll go sure this time, 
and I’ll bet anything he’ll not come back. But 
all the same I think we’ll manage to have some 
fun.” 

“How, Eddie?” 

“ I don’t want to distract you, Earl. You go 
ahead and get ready for your baptism ; and to- 
morrow morning, if things go the way I expect, 
I shall have a great story to tell you.” 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


201 


CHAPTER XVII. 

IN WHICH THE DARLING RUNS AWAY IN GOOD EARNESTt 

“R ECESS, ” announced the study-keeper. 

At the word, the silence, which had been 
sensitive to the scratching of a pen, was broken 
by the shutting of books, the slamming of desks, 
the shifting of chairs and of feet; and in a 
moment the noise, with its makers, was trans- 
ferred to the yard. The study-keeper cast a 
glance down the aisles, and satisfied that all the 
students had left the room, took his departure. 

His footfalls were still sounding upon the 
pavement outside, when a head bobbed up from 
behind a bench, and two small eyes glanced 
warily about. Satisfied that the coast was clear, 
the owner of the small eyes, no other than Ethel- 
red Preston, awoke to sudden activity. Going 
to certain desks, he helped himself hurriedly to 
three or four fountain pens, a box of letter-paper, 
a gold pen, a silver watch, and a few odds and 
ends. He then thoughtfully put on a fine heavy 
overcoat — the best in the hall — which happened 
to be Earl Meriwether’s. He took the coat with- 


202 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


out malice. He had no particular grudge against 
Earl ; but Earl’s coat was the best, and he chose 
it as a matter of business. 

Satisfied that under the limitations of time and 
place he had done his best, Ethelred threw open 
one of the windows on the side opposite the play- 
ground and leaped out. Pausing for a short time 
to assure himself that there was no one near, he 
made his way under the long shadows of the 
trees to the back gate of the college. As he 
went along, he could hear the shouts of the boys 
in the yard. F rom the shadows he could see them 
running about in the moonlight. The prefects 
were both in full view of his eyes, but at satis- 
factory distances. 

Crouching at the gate, the amiable Ethelred 
shook both fists at the yard and the inmates 
thereof, and then slipped out of the college 
grounds. 

“ Now I’m safe,” he grunted, as he reached the 
first of the line of maples, and retiring into its 
shadow mopped the perspiration from his brow. 
It was a chilly night ; but Ethelred was not sensi- 
ble to the cold as yet. 

Having regained his breath, he started down 
the road, keeping to the side where the shadows 
lay thickest. The moon shone clear and full, 


ETHELRED PRESTON-, 

throwing a ghastly white light upon the middle 
of the way. There was no wind ; not a branch 
stirred ; and the silence about him was accen- 
tuated by the shouts of the lads in the play-ground. 
Ethelred could hear his own breathing, and it 
frightened him. He stopped once more to re- 
gain his breath. 

As he stood still, there suddenly came, or 
seemed to come, upon his ears a low groan. 
Was it imagination ? He could hear his heart- 
beats now, and down his back there swept an 
odd, chilly sensation. He listened again, but 
all was silent. 

“ I’m scared,” he said. He spoke aloud to 
reassure himself by the sound of his own voice. 

I won’t stop any more.” And walking swiftly, 
he made towards a clump of trees some rods 
further down. 

As he advanced, he heard, or fancied he heard, 
a movement as of stealthy footsteps on the further 
side of the trees which lined the way. But he 
gave no heed to these real or fancied sounds. 
He felt sure that it was his disturbed imagination. 
No one ever frequented this road except the 
students of the college, and they were now on 
their way to their night prayers. 

At length the clump of trees and the under- 


204 E THE L RED PRES TOH, 

brush were reached. Pushing through the weeds, 
Ethelred made for an old stump standing out 
plainly in the light ; and scattering aside, with 
his hands, some dried twigs and leaves, he un- 
covered to the moon a large valise. 

As the burnished bands glittered in the light, 
Ethelred gave a sob of relief. 

Now I’m all right.” 

He raised the valise in his hands; it was 
heavy. 

‘ ‘ Your money or your life ! ” 

At the words uttered in a low, guttural, dis- 
guised voice, the valise dropped from Ethelred’s 
hands, his blood seemed to freeze in his veins, and 
there was a horrible, stinging sensation about the 
roots of his hair. His eyes lifted once, and then 
he fell back flat upon the ground. 

Five weird figures had hemmed him in — five 
unearthly figures. To Ethelred’s eyes they 
seemed to be giants. Black masks were on their 
faces, high conical hats covered their heads. 
Long robes reached from their shoulders to their 
feet. They stood like statues, each with one 
hand upon the hip, and the other holding a 
pistol pointed at the unhappy youth. No 
wonder he fell. 

“Get up, and as you value your life, don’t 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 205 

open your mouth,” came the same unnatural 
voice. 

Ethelred arose, and staggered as he stood. 

Put up your hands.” 

The boy obeyed ; and while four of the 
strange figures continued to bear themselves like 
statues, the one who had spoken came forward, 
carried away the valise, and then examined 
Ethelred’s pockets. 

He went about it slowly, while not a figure 
moved. Ethelred’s hands continued high in air; 
he breathed heavily, and wished in his heart that 
one of those figures would move or cough — any- 
thing rather than the silence and the pointed 
pistols. 

It was a long search; for Ethelred’s pockets 
were many and all of them were well-stored. 
The collection made a little heap — pencils, knives, 
money, ties, cuff buttons, three watches, and all 
manner of little knick-knacks. 

Next the examiner took off Ethelred’s over- 
coat, then his vest. Stepping aside, he re- 
turned with other clothes upon his arm. These 
he handed to Ethelred, motioning him to put 
them on. 

With trembling fingers, and breathing heavily, 
Ethelred made an endeavor to put on the vest. 


206 


ETHELRED PRESl'ON. 


Oh, if he could but open his mouth! He was 
suffocating — he could not even swallow. But to 
open his mouth, as he understood the leader’s 
words, meant death. The vest slipped from his 
clasp, while fresh drops of perspiration broke out 
upon his face. The silent robber then took the 
overcoat and threw it over Ethelred’s shoulders, 
and placing the vest and coat upon one of the 
nerveless arms, he slipped two silver dollars into 
his hands, which, however nervous their owner 
might be, instinctively closed upon them 
tight. 

“ Count twenty ; then run for your life, and 
don’t dare open your mouth till you have reached 
the station. But first, turn your face towards 
the village and don't look back,” came the se- 
pulchral tones of the leader. 

While the figures, thus far motionless, lowered 
their ‘pistols and massed themselves between 
Ethelred and the college, Ethelred tried to count 
twenty conscientiously. He must have broken 
down and begun again five or six times ; he cer- 
tainly counted twenty. When he felt quite sure 
that he had followed this injunction, he took to 
his heels; and as he started, there came behind 
him a loud deafening explosion which lent him 
winged speed. In the time that it takes to nar- 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 207 

rate it, Ethelred had disappeared from the view 
of his ghostly persecutors. 

“Well,” exclaimed the leader, throwing off 
his mask and revealing the merry face of Ed 
Devereux! “ wasn’t it a grand success?” 

“Stunning!” said Roger Haines, removing 
his weird, conical cap. 

“ If he runs that way,” added a third, “ he’ll 
catch the train without any trouble at all.” 

“Oh, but, boys,” cried Eddie, with eyes that 
sparkled above their wonted sparkle, “we’ve 
done a great night’s work. I knew that Ethel- 
red was going to run away in Earl Meriwether’s 
clothes and with a few knick-knacks borrowed 
here and there; but I didn’t think he was going 
to rob right and left. I could hardly keep from 
saying something when I took my own fountain 
pen and my own gold sleeve-buttons out of his 
pocket.” 

“And I felt like putting in an oar,” broke in 
the fourth highwayman, “when you brought 
out my box of writing paper ; it was a birthday 
gift from my aunt, and each sheet of paper had 
my initials stamped on it.” 

The boys meanwhile had been doffing their 
weird attire, and now stood revealed, five young 
gentlemen in the last stages of the knickerbocker 


2o8 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


period of life. They were radiantly happy. The 
fact that Ethelred had been scared out of his wits 
dashed not their merriment in the least. He 
was a thief, a sneak-thief, they agreed, and the 
frightening which he had received was a very 
light punishment. And then the romance of the 
thing! Moonlight! Playing at highwaymen! 
Pistols! — they were toy pistols, which do very 
well at night ! It was a real adventure, some- 
thing that could be talked about and laughed 
over till examination time, and recalled and 
laughed over in maturer years as one of the 
most interesting experiences of their college life. 

“Wasn’t that ‘giant fire-cracker’ a success, 
though? ” cried Ed. “ It sounded like a cannon. 
The Darling gave a leap into the air when it 
went off, and then he just flew. Oh! but this is 
a picnic ! ” 

“Talk about circuses!” chimed in Roger 
ecstatically. 

“ But wasn’t it good of Father Howard to let 
us out,” continued Ed. “ I told him that there 
was some thieving going on, and that I felt sure 
I could stop it, if he'd let me take you four and 
stay out from second hour’s studies and night 
prayers. I gave him my word of honor that we 
would behave all right and not go beyond this 


E THE LEE D FEES TON, 209 

roadway, and said that we’d be back before the 
boys were asleep. So, boys, gather up the 
spoils and we’ll go in and report.” 

Father Howard was not a little surprised when 
the dauntless five filed into his room and placed 
upon his desk one large tightly-packed valise and 
any number of odds and ends. 

“ What’s all this? ” he asked. 

Stolen goods mostly. Father, I think,” 
Eddie replied. “ Of course, some of the things 
may be Ethelred’s, but we didn’t have time to 
find out.” 

“ Ethelred’s! ” repeated Father Howard. 

<<Yes — his mamma’s darling!” 

** And where is Ethelred? ” 

** I think he’s on the train by this time, in an 
old overcoat, and with just about money enough 
to bring him home. We didn’t mind taking 
everything of value he had, because we felt 
pretty sure that most of it was stolen, and we 
knew that whatever was his could be returned 
along with his trunk.” 

“ Well, suppose you tell me all about it.” 

Devereux told his story with a zest ; and 
Father Howard listened with unaffected interest 
and delight. 

When I hear a thing like that,” said the 


210 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


vice-president at the end of the recital, “ I can 
hardly keep from wishing I was a boy again. 
Now you may all go to the infirmary, and to- 
morrow morning take a late sleep. You have 
had a great deal of fun and done a good deed, too. 
To-morrow I shall try to find out who owns all 
these things, and send what is unclaimed to 
Ethelred. Good night, boys; I am very much 
obliged to you indeed.” 

“So,” soliloquized the Father, gazing at the 
valise, which bore the initials of Peter Lane, 
“this is the end of Ethelred Preston.” 

The prefect of the college had made the like 
remark on a like occasion. He was mistaken. 
As the sequel will show, Father Howard was 
mistaken too. 


ETHELRED PRESTON, 


2II 


CHAPTER XVIII. 

A MEMORABLE MORNING. 

the following day, while the students of 
Henryton College were at their breakfast, 
Earl Meriwether was solemnly baptized into the 
Catholic Church. At his request, no one was 
present with the exception of Eddie, the happiest 
of godfathers, Roger Haines, and four others of 
his classmates. Earl’s face, as the services pro- 
ceeded, was aglow with holy joy; and when 
Father Noland poured the regenerating water 
upon his head, and pronounced in solemn and fer- 
vent tones the sacramental words, Earl, realizing 
the beauty of the garment invisible put upon 
his soul, and the sweet union between him- 
self and the most blessed Trinity, could not 
restrain his tears. It was the second time since 
his entering college that Devereux had seen 
Earl weep. Five days ago his tears had been 
tears of anguish ; now they were tears of supreme 
joy. 

There was a special breakfast prepared for 


212 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


Earl and his five companions. On the centre of 
the table a beautiful lily bowed its perfect chalice, 
and three splendid roses blushed before the 
blushing neophyte. Around Earl’s plate were 
grouped a prayer-book, a pair of beads, a Sacred 
Heart badge, a silver medal of the Immaculate 
Conception, and an ivory crucifix. 

“They’re all yours, godson,” said Eddie, 
who wanted to dance. “The prayer-book is 
from the godfather, the beads from Father 
Noland, the crucifix from Roger, and the medal 
from Peter Lane. The flowers are from the 
other fellows here, and just sit down and pitch 
in.” He added, enthusiastically, “There are 
biscuits for breakfast, and all the butter a fellow 
can use.” 

It was a merry breakfast. They talked of 
many things, but finally settled upon the departed 
Darling, and once upon that topic, never left it, 

“Just think,” said Eddie, “he came here last 
Thursday morning — not quite a week yet, and it 
seems as though he had been here three weeks.” 

“ He woke us up,” said Roger. 

“That’s so,” assented Ed. “Things were 
getting awfully dull when he came along. We 
hadn’t had any fun to speak of since the Christ- 
mas holidays.” 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 213 

Fve noticed,” said Earl, “ that the month 
of January is generally the dullest month of the 
school-year.” 

“But this month wasn’t,” said Ed. “It 
would have been, only for the Darling. When 
he came along I was so dead that I was thinking of 
applying for a burial permit. But since that 
time everything has been on the go.” 

“Very much so,” added Roger. “First, on 
the day he came Earl got into that row with Mr. 
Gade.” 

“Oh, that reminds me,” broke in Ed. Mr. 
Gade gave me something for you, and I came 
near forgetting all about it.” Eddie pulled out 
an envelope, as he spoke, and handed it to 
Earl. 

Earl opened it and found that it contained a 
picture and some verses. 

“ Did Mr. Gade write a poem for you, Earl?” 
asked Father Noland. 

Earl, before replying, ran his eyes over the 
manuscript. 

“Yes, Father,” he made answer, “and it 
seems to be very beautiful. Isn’t it kind of 
him ? ” 

“More kind of him than you think, Earl ; 
for Mr. Gade, though a poet, is very chary of 


214 


ETHELRED PRESTON, 


his verses. I wanted him to write something 
for me lately, and he answered by quoting a few 
lines from a young Englishman named William 
Watson who, with Thompson, promises to take 
the highest place among the poets of the day. 
Mr. Gade had Watson’s book fresh from the 
publisher upon his desk, and said as he closed it : 

‘ Not mine the rich and showering hand, that strews 
The facile largess of a stintless muse. 

A fitful presence, seldom tarrying long. 

Capriciously she touches me to song — 

Then leaves me to lament her flight in vain, 

And wonder will she ever come again.’ 

“ And then, Earl, he added, ‘ If I have an 
hour to spare, I shall give it to my dear pupil, 
Earl Meriwether.’ You may rest assured, then, 
that aside from the occasion, Mr. Gade’s verses 
are well worthy of being treasured. Probably, 
the older you grow, the more you will appreciate 
them.” 

I believe you, sir.” And Earl put the 
envelope with its enclosure very carefully away. 

“Well,” resumed Roger, “just think of all 
that has happened since Ethelred arrived. After 
Ethelred’s trouble in the morning, we had a 
boxing match at noon ; and then Ethelred passes 
a new examination under the direction of Peter 
Sullivan and Ed Land. Next he goes to bed in 


E THELRED PRES TON. 2 1 5 

the music teacher’s room ; and is quiet for half a 
day. Then he climbs down a rope.” 

And don’t forget to remember,” put in Ed 
Devereux, “ that he stole twenty feet of it, and 
I had to pay the damages. Go on, Roger; only 
please try not to tire out my godson.” 

“And then when we think we’re done with 
him, he bobs up serenely in the dormitory next 
morning, and at studies is introduced to us as a 
reformed runaway.” 

“And after that,” added Devereux, “he 
kept us on the jump for three days to find out 
what he was up to. But there’s one thing I 
feel sorry for; it’s the first time since I’ve been 
here that I was ever thrown in with a student 
who was a thief. It’s so disgusting to live near 
such a fellow. Last night when I was searching 
him, and pulling out things that belonged to the 
boys I knew, I felt very much like setting the 
whole crowd on him to give him a pounding; 
I’m very glad I didn’t yield. It would have 
been an act of revenge, and the conduct of a 
savage.” 

“ Ethelred has been formally expelled, I 
hear,” said Roger. 

“ I feel bad for his poor mother,’* said Earl. 
“ The boy will break her heart. She is a very 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


216 

refined woman, and I can’t understand how 
Ethelred could live under her care, and be what 
he is.” 

“ By the way, Earl,” said Eddie, helping him- 
self to another biscuit, “ the Darling went off in 
your overcoat, coat, and vest.” 

“ Did he have my overcoat too ? I lent him 
the other things, and am not surprised at his 
taking them. But I am surprised that he should 
take my coat.” 

“ He’s the first boy I ever came across who 
had no sense of gratitude at all,” said Roger 
Haines, putting down his knife and fork. 
“ Why, just think of the way he’s acted with 
Earl Meriwether! Earl has been doing every- 
thing to make him feel at home. He lent him 
clothes, gave him postage stamps, treated him 
to candy a dozen times; and he went with him 
when the other boys fought shy of him. The 
last thing in return for all this is that the Darl- 
ing makes off with his overcoat. It’s downright 
disgusting. I didn’t think there were any boys 
made that way.” 

“ A great deal of the selfishness and ingrati- 
tude in the world,” said Father Noland, “ is to 
be accounted for by a passion for money-getting. 
People who allow the love of money to grow 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 217 

upon them, soon come to lose their love for 
everything else. Few boys have such a passion 
for gain as Ethelred seems to have.” 

Well, he’s done anyhow,” Eddie observed. 

^‘And he’ll not show his face here again,” 
added Haines. “ There’s not a single boy in 
the yard would touch him with a ten-foot pole.” 

Poor fellow! ” said Earl. “ We are abusing 
him, when we ought to pity him. He was an 
unhappy boy when he was here, and he was 
unhappy when he left. I feel sorry for him.” 

And with this charitable comment, Earl rose, 
and forgetting Ethelred on the moment, put 
himself to preparing for the first Friday. 


2i3 


ETHELRED PRESTON, 


CHAPTER XIX. 

ETHELRED PRESTON, BRIGHTON, ALBANY VILLA. 

JT was the noon recess on Thursday morning. 

The small boys, with the exception of a few 
stragglers, were all gathered together discussing 
the disappearance of Ethelred Preston, and 
examining the various articles, just restored to 
them, which the Darling had attempted to run 
away with. 

Halloa! ” said Peter Lane, suddenly, “here 
comes Earl Meriwether, and there’s something 
queer about his face.” 

“ He looks puzzled, and he’s going to tell us 
some news,” said Johnny Martin, the sharp- 
eyed. 

“ What is it, Earl ? ” cried Peter. 

“ Boys, I have the most extraordinary news.” 

Every head was fixed in attention. 

“ Ethelred Preston is back again.” 

The boys stood as though they had been cast 
into a trance. 

“ He’s in the parlor with Father Edmunds,” 
Earl went on. 


ETHELRED PRESTON, 219 

The listeners began to look at each other with 
puzzled faces. 

‘‘Is he to be arrested, Earl ? ” inquired 
Devereux. 

“ It seems not. I haven’t seen Ethelred yet. 
But I just now met Father Howard, and he was 
laughing. I don’t see yet why he was laughing. 
He contrived to tell me between his laughs, that 
fifteen minutes ago, the man at the door brought 
the president of the college a card that read : 

Master Ethelred Preston, 

Albany Villa, Brighton. 

[At Home Tuesdays.] 

“ And what did Father Edmunds do when he 
got that card ? ” inquired Haines. 

“ When Father Edmunds got the card, he 
ordered his secretary to telephone for a police- 
man.” 

There was a sigh of relief from the auditors. 

“ Then Father Edmunds waited till the 
policeman came, and asked him to stay in the 
hall outside the parlor for a moment. The 
president entered the parlor, and came out in a 
minute and told the policeman that there would 
be no need of his services.” 

“ 0-o-o-oh! ” This was but one of the many 


220 


ETHELRED PRES TOM. 


expressions of astonishment which this an- 
nouncement provoked. 

“ But I haven’t told you the strangest part 
yet. Father Howard says that not only has 
Father Edmunds decided not to arrest Ethelred, 
but he has actually entered his name as a stu- 
dent of the college.” 

“Oh, there’s a joke somewhere,” cried 
Haines. 

“ That’s what I said to Father Howard when 
he told me that Ethelred was admitted*, but he 
laughed more than ever, and told me that he 
wanted you all to keep together till he had pre- 
sented you to Ethelred.” 

“We’re not ready to meet him yet, Earl,” 
said Ed Devereux. “ There’s not a rotten egg 
in the crowd.” 

“ It’s queer,” commented Earl. “ But we 
little fellows know that the president sees 
further than we, and ” 

“ Here comes Father Howard,” broke in 
Devereux. 

All turned quickly towards the entrance to 
the residence building. There at the top of the 
steps stood Father Howard, and holding the 
Father’s hand in his own, a very small boy with 
a very pale face. 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 22 1 

‘‘Boys/* said Father Howard; and, as he 
spoke, the crowd surged about the steps. “ I 
want to introduce you to your new school-mate. 
Ethelred Preston.’* 

When the new-comer took off his sailor cap, 
and, exposing a sunny head of ringlets, bowed 
gravely, he was facing such a staring, stupid, 
wondering, open-mouthed crowd of petrified 
figures as one seldom comes on in this world of 
constant surprises. 

He was a singularly pretty boy, with very 
dark blue eyes, and fair regular features. In 
dress, he was a model of neatness. His every 
movement spoke refinement. 

Earl was the first to recover himself. Running 
up the steps, he took the new-comer’s hands. 

“ Are you really Ethelred Preston ? ” 

“ That is my name, sir,” answered the lad 
with a smile and a bow. 

“ Three cheers for Mamma’s Darling,” cried 
Peter Lane, the small boy with the big voice. 

Hats and. caps went flying on high, while 
cheer upon cheer rent the air till little Ethelred 
was blushing like a rose. 

Father Howard meanwhile was whispering in 
Earl’s ear. Earl’s face lighted up, he nodded 
assent, and made a motion for silence. 


222 ETUMLRBD F RES TOM. 

Ethelred Preston, you’ve got a nickname. 
It’s Mamma’s Darling. How do you like that 
nickname ? ” 

“ I don’t like it at all, if you please. I don’t 
like nicknames.” 

Very good; now I’ll tell you what we boys 
will do. If you explain to us how you happen 
to be Ethelred Preston, and how it comes that 
the other Ethelred Preston is not you, we boys 
will agree to drop your nickname. Isn’t that 
so, boys ? ” 

There was a hearty and unanimous assent. 

“ Thank you, sir,” said Ethelred. ‘‘ I shall 
tell my story with pleasure, if Father Howard 
has no objections.” 

“ It will be a pleasure to me to hear it from 
your lips, Ethelred.” 

“ Thank you, Father.” 

And Ethelred began his story, and held his 
audience breathless for ten minutes. 

There were certain circumstances, however, 
which he did not explain, but which came to 
light afterwards. These points, pieced into his 
narrative, will be set down in the following 
chapters. 


ETHELRED PRESTOH. 


12 ^ 


CHAPTER XX. 

WHY ETHELRED FAILED TO REACH HENRY TON IN DUE 
TIME. 

JT was a chilly morning, late in January, when 
a closed carriage drove up to the station at 
Brighton. The coachman threw open the door, 
and there stepped out a lady and a little boy. 
The lady, evidently a woman of refinement, was 
in tasty but modest attire; the boy’s costume, 
on the other hand, was picturesque and much 
out of the ordinary: any little girl would have 
detected in the ripple and splendor of his 
golden, ambrosial curls the constraining influ- 
ence of the crimping irons; there were shining 
buckles upon his low shoes, the largeness of the 
buckles forcing into notice the smallness of his 
feet, and sober black silk ribbons, tied in a 
bow-knot, bound his shapely knickerbockers at 
the knees. He wanted but a sash to complete 
his resemblance to that darling of all mothers 
and most girls — Little Lord Fauntleroy. 

The woman was somewhat flushed about the 
eyes, and had evidently been weeping. The 


ETHELRED FEES TON'. 


224 

boy, with compressed lips and frowning brow, 
held his face towards the ground. He was 
clearly in a pet. 

From time to time she gazed at him with that 
pathetic look in which a mother’s love unre- 
quited so often expresses itself — but the boy 
gave her no heed. Involuntarily, a sigh broke 
from her. 

The little fellow’s face, despite himself, soft- 
ened. He looked up and saw the love shining 
in that other face. 

“ Mamma,” he cried, please take me along 
with you.” 

” No, Ethelred dear,” the mother made 
answer, as they walked into the deserted ladies’ 
waiting-room; ” your delicate constitution could 
not endure the hardships of a trip across the 
ocean at this rude season of the year. And in- 
deed, I am sorry that you may not come. You 
know, my darling, that I shall miss you far more 
than you will miss me. Try, dear, to be brave 
and cheerful.” The mother’s voice faltered on 
these words. She gathered herself together and 
added, ” Make the parting easy for your mother, 
my only child.” 

And the kind, tender woman turned away her 
head and hid her face in her handkerchief. Let 


E THELRED PRES 7'ON, 22$ 

all of US who see by faith, as it were, and from 
afar the sacred and heroic love which mothers 
have for their little ones — let us, too, turn away 
our eyes and bow our heads before this love- 
liness of grief. 

A moment passed in silence. Then Ethelred 
returned to the attack. 

“ But I don’t want to go to a boarding-school, 
ma; the boys are so rough, and besides at 
Henry ton they are all Catholics.” 

” Yes; but there are many good Catholics, 
Ethelred dear. I have known several myself. 
And Henryton College is so very well conducted. 
I met one of their boys last summer when I 
visited the sister of Mrs. Meriwether, her boy 
Earl. He was such a finished little gentleman, 
that I felt anxious for you two to meet. And 
now I am forced to send you to the college 
where he is attending; and I feel sure, dear, that 
if you only put on a brave face, you will like the 
school very much.” 

‘‘ But, mamma,” cried Ethelred, putting his 
arm about his mother, ” I can’t bear to leave 
you. 

Forgetting the time and place, Mrs. Preston 
threw her arms about the child’s neck, and 
mother and son indulged in a ” good cry.” 


226 


ETHELRED PRESTON, 


Ethelred was the first to recover himself, and 
when he had wiped his eyes, the pout was done. 

“ Well, mamma. I’ll go to please you.” 

“You darling! ” cried the delighted mother, 
and she fell to gazing upon the pretty, somewhat 
effeminate features of her boy, as though for the 
last time. There was a slight lump in Ethel- 
red’s throat; and to relieve it, he gave a little 
hem. 

“ Have you your cough-drops, dear ?” 

“ Yes, mamma.” 

“ Take one at once; the early morning air is 
sharp, and your cold is not quite done. I put a 
bottle of cough-medicine in your trunk; be sure 
and take it regularly, my darling. Oh, dear! 
how time flies — only five minutes more, and we 
shall be parted. Promise me, dear, not to put 
your head out of the car windows.” 

“ I won’t, ma.” 

“ And don’t stand on the platform, Ethelred, 
and be sure to keep your seat. You will reach 
Henryton at nine o’clock this morning. Go 
direct to the college, dear; and don’t spend 
your money on cakes and candies on the way, or 
you will make yourself sick.” 

Mrs. Preston went on with a series of 
“ dont’s ” which lasted till the train which was 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


227 


to bear Ethelred away pulled up at the depot. 
I am sorry to say that Ethelred, who was some- 
thing of a spoiled boy, took these prohibitions 
in bad part. He lapsed again into his pout, and 
behaved at a moment when signs of extreme 
affection are most expected as spoiled children 
often do in such circumstances. 

The fond mother, fearing that Ethelred might 
neglect some of her many injunctions, secured 
the ear of the conductor. 

“ Please keep your eye on my little boy, sir.’* 

Ethelred bridled. 

“ See that he stays in the sleeper,” continued 
Mrs. Preston. ” Don’t let him run around, 
please; and keep him out of danger, and — ” 
Yes, ma’am, — all aboard.” 

The conductor waved his hand, Mrs. Preston 
snatched a last kiss, and presently stood weeping 
and alone while the train moved away. 

Ethelred as he. entered the sleeping-car was 
in a bad mood. To have a conductor watching 
over him, as though he were a baby ! If he had 
been an infant, his mother could hardly have 
varied her requests. Ethelred was something of 
a ‘‘ baby” in the small boy’s sense of the word, 
and being a baby, he resented his mother’s 
course far more than a manlier boy would have 


228 


ETHELRED PRESTON, 


resented it. To make matters worse, the con- 
ductor carried out Mrs. Preston’s injunctions 
with a literalness that was most galling to the 
spoiled child. He repeated Mrs. Preston’s 
words to the colored porter, and added a few 
directions of his own within range of the small 
boy’s burning ears. Ethelred was at one and 
the same time furious and frightened. Fifteen 
minutes had passed over these unpleasant emo- 
tions, when the train stopped at the station of a 
very pretty little village. Ethelred rose, and 
had gone as far as the platform, when he was 
stopped upon the steps by the porter. 

No you don’t, Johnnie,” he said jocosely, 

get right back into that car. You just keep 
quiet, and in an hour you’ll be at Henryton.” 

You think I’m a baby ? ” protested Ethelred. 

‘‘You were once; and you haven’t got over 
it altogether.” 

A few loafers and a passenger laughed at this 
sally, and covered with shame, Ethelred retired 
into the sleeper. 

He had hardly taken his seat, when an over- 
grown boy with a big tray entered the car, looked 
about eagerly, and finally fixed his small eyes 
upon Ethelred. After a short survey, he ap- 
proached. 


ETHELRED PRESTO Rf. 


229 


I say, young feller,” he said, seating him- 
self beside the little lad, ‘M’d like to show you 
something that you want.” As he spoke, he 
uncovered his tray, and exposed to view a col- 
lection of cuffs, collars, and odds and ends. 

See there! Look at these suspenders! 
I’ve got ’em all sizes, and for every age. 
Here’s a pair will fit you. Just look at them 
galluses.” 

And with considerable enthusiasm shining 
from his eyes, the strange boy dangled a tiny 
pair of suspenders in Ethelred’s face. 

If you please,” said Ethelred, I don’t 
want any suspenders.” 

“ But just feel ’em. See the way they 
stretch! They’re just running over with elastic; 
and they’ll last you till you’re so big that you 
won’t want to wear ’em any more.” 

I tell you I don’t want them.” 

“ You only think you don’t want ’em. Why, 
I’ll let you have this pair for sixty cents — they 
cost me seventy-five cents wholesale. I can 
swear to it.” 

” I tell you, I don’t want them. I don’t 
wear suspenders, I wear a belt.” 

The peddler gazed at Ethelred with much 
pity upon his mottled face. 


230 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


“ What! a feller your size not wearing sus- 
penders! You ought to, unless you want to be 
a baby. Every boy that goes to school wears 
suspenders. Don’t you go to school ? ” 

“ I’m on my way to school now; but I don’t 
want to go to school.” 

“ Then take a pair of suspenders with you. 
Here, I’ll just give ’em to you. Take ’em for 
forty-five cents.” 

‘‘ If I want suspenders, I can get them at that 
old school.” 

” What school you going to ? ” 

“ Henry ton College. I’ve been going to 
school all my life,” continued Ethelred with a 
pout; ” at least I’ve been kept at my books day 
after day, and I’m about tired of it; and besides 
I don’t care about going to an old boarding 
college.” 

” I wish I had your chance,” said the peddler. 

Here I am seventeen years old, and scarcely 
no schoolin’. I’ve been a peddlin’ suspenders 
and things all my life pretty near, and I’m tired 
of it.” 

“I’d much rather peddle suspenders than go 
to school.” Ethelred, as he spoke, pouted so 
successfully that he presented what is popularly 
known as a “ baby face ” to his new acquaint- 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


231 


ance. But that young man’s sense of humor 
was not disturbed in the least. 

And I’d a heap rather go to school than 
peddle suspenders.” 

A boarding-school is a penitentiary,” added 
Elhelred, with another baby face of disgust. 

“You get clothed and lodged and eddicated, 
though. They learn you all kinds of things.” 

“ But I don’t want to learn. My head is 
tired of names of flowers and stars and all sorts 
of stuff. What I want is a holiday.” 

“ Take these here for thirty-five cents ? ” 

“ No; I don’t want suspenders.” 

The peddler made a feint of putting them 
away. He paused in the act, and said: 

“ Here, twenty-five cents.” 

Ethelred took the suspenders. 

The peddler then put aside his box, and hav- 
ing carefully examined the silver quarter of a 
dollar, turned to Ethelred. 

“ My name is Packy Jarboe.” 

“ Is that so ? ” 

“ Yes; people call me Packy, though my 
right name is Oliver. What’s yourn ? ” 

“ Ethelred Preston.” 

, “ Was you ever at a boarding-school before? ” 
“ No.” 


232 ETHELRED PRESTON. 

“ I never was myself.” 

“ And I don’t want to go. I’d rather dig 
potatoes, or hold a plough.” 

“You said a while ago that you’d rather sell 
suspenders. Is that so ? ” 

“ Yes, indeed; I’d rather do anything.” 

Packy fell into a study. 

“ I’ll tell you what, Preston. You’d like to 
sell suspenders, and I’d like to see what a board- 
ing-school is like. Suppose we change places.” 

“ Oh, no.” 

“ So you didn’t mean what you said then ? 
You were telling lies. You were just a-blowing. ” 

“ No, I wasn’t. But we can’t change places 
without being found out. Besides, even if I 
didn’t care about going to boarding-school, it 
doesn’t follow that I feel like running away.” 

“ Didn’t you say jest a minute ago that you 
was never at a boarding-school in your life ? ” 

“Yes.” 

“ Then the people who teach at that school 
don’t know you — do they ? ” 

“ No; I never met any of them, and what is 
more, I don’t want to meet any of them, 
either.” 

“ And do you know any of the boys that go 
to that school ? ” 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 233 

‘‘ No; I heard of one boy, Earl Meriwether. 
But I never saw one of them yet.” 

“ Well, then, why couldn’t I go on in your 
place. No one would know the difference.” 

Little Ethelred had not the courage to say 
that such an exchange would be wrong. Like 
most ” mammas’ darlings” he was weak. So 
he contented himself with answering: 

“ It would be all right, perhaps, for a day or 
two ; but they would find out after a while that 
there was something wrong. You couldn’t use 
my clothes, and when you’d open my trunk 
everybody would see that the things in it could 
not possibly belong to you.” 

Packy Jarboe here made a digression, inquir- 
ing into the price of Ethelred’s shoes, and of 
various other articles. He offered incidentally 
to buy Ethelred a much ” nattier suit ” for five 
dollars. Ethelred did not happen to need a 
suit. Packy thereupon returned to the main 
question. 

“ You said just now that I could take your 
place for a day or so only without getting found 
out.” 

“ Yes; and I’m sure it is so.” 

” Well, suppose we exchange places for two 
days ? ” 


234 ETHELRED PRESTO//. 

Ethelred looked alarmed. 

“ You needn’t try to back out,” continued 
Packy eagerly. ” Here’s the way we can do it. 
I’ll go on right now to Henryton College and 
present myself as you. To-day is Thursday, 
and I stay there to-day, and to-morrow night I 
clear out and you come in on Saturday morn- 
ing.” 

“I’d rather not,” said Ethelred, uneasily. 

” But look! You’ll have a fine show to learn 
what a peddler’s life is. It will be lots of fun 
for you; and I’ll have a chance to see how a 
boarding-school is worked. I’ll let you have 
my peddler’s outfit; and I’ll give you a map of 
my route. Just think of it — you’ll be your own 
boss for two days.” 

Ethelred could not refrain from showing some 
pleasure at this last inducement. 

” And then,” continued the enterprising 
Packy, ” it will be such a joke. You come to 
college on Saturday morning, and when the 
boys learn how you’ve fooled ’em, they’ll think 
you’re awful smart. It will be a great joke.” 

” That’s so; but then I don’t think I should 
like to—” 

” Oh, well, if you’re afraid to stand by what 
you’ve said, all right. You’re a little coward 


ETHELRED PRESTOlsr, 235 

and won’t go anywhere without your mamma’s 
along. Them things on your knickerbockers at 
the knees are her apron strings, and you’re tied 
to ’em.” 

“I’m not a coward, and I’m not afraid,” 
answered Ethelred, with flashing eyes, ” only I 
don’t care about trying that plan.” 

“You are a coward, and you are afraid, and 
I just dare you change places with me for two 
days. Ah, you little coward, you dasn’t.” 

“ Just to show you that I’m not afraid,” cried 
Ethelred, “ I will change places with you. 
There ! You think I can’t take care of myself 
because I’m small ! You may go to Henry ton 
in my place: and now tell me what I’m to 
do.” 

“ Shake hands on that,” said Packy. “ That’s 
right. You’ve got more sand than I thought. 
Well, first of all, instead of getting off at Henry- 
ton, you get off at Collinsville, which isn’t so 
far up the road — that’s as far as my ticket goes. 
This morning and this afternoon you take in 
Collinsville, and sell all the suspenders and no- 
tions you can there. Then this afternoon, 
about four, you start off for Hagartown, which is 
just seven miles from Collinsville.” 

“ How do I get there? ” 


236 ETHELRED PRESTOJST. 

It’s not on the railroad; you walk.” 

Walk seven miles! ” cried Ethelred, opening 
his eyes and holding up his hands. 

Yes, of course. You’re not a baby. 
There’s no way of riding there. The railroad 
doesn’t run through it, and you don’t want to 
hire a kerridge. You must look out not to get 
lost; I’ll tell you the way after awhile, and if 
you forget it, you can ask most any person in 
Collinsville. It isn’t seven miles,” continued 
Packy, noticing Ethelred was still frightened ; 
“ it’s only about four. I said seven to scare 
you. When you get to Hagartown, there’s a 
sort of hotel the first thing you come to as you 
walk along the road. It’s kept by an uncle of 
mine; and he’ll give you a bed and supper and 
breakfast the next morning cheap. Then you 
go round and sell what you can in the village 
and stay that night at my uncle’s again. Next 
morning, you leave the suspenders that are left 
over and the other traps with my uncle and all 
the money you’ve got in on the sales, and go 
back to Collinsville so as to catch the train that 
passes at eight-fifty for Henryton. See ? ” 

Yes; but I don’t know how to sell all these 
things.” 

” I’ll give you the prices on a list — it’s all 


ETHELRED PRESTON-, 537 

written out. And now you must show me how 
to play my part.” 

“ They’ll suspect something when you get 
to the college, because they know I’m a little 
fellow.” 

“ How do they know that ? ” 

“ Because ma showed me the letter she wrote 
to the president of the college. She talks about 
her little Ethelred and tells him what care he 
must take of me. When the president sees 
you, he’ll know there’s something wrong.” 

Don’t you see any way of my getting over 
that ? ” asked Packy, anxiously. 

“ Why, yes,” answered Ethelred, after a 
short pause, and with some reluctance. “ You 
know mothers don’t notice how fast their chil- 
dren grow; you look as though you’ve been 
growing lately.” 

” That’s so! I think I can talk them over on 
that.” 

” But why do you want to go to school for 
two days ? There’s no sense in that.” 

” Yes, there is; I want to get an idea of what 
it is like.” 

Packy counted on finding his profit out of the 
two days at Henryton. At the very worst, he 
could borrow five or six dollars. In any event. 


238 ETHELRED PRESTON'. 

he trusted to his luck; he would contrive to be 
none the poorer for his two days away from his 
regular calling. 

The two then fell to comparing notes. Ethel- 
red told Packy about his mother, his home, Earl 
Meriwether, and crammed the enterprising ped- 
dler for his new role. He gave him a few of his 
visiting-cards, and provided him with the letter 
of recommendation from the pastor of his native 
town. 

In return, Packy Jarboe furnished Ethelred 
with a price-list, explaining veiy^ carefully, as he 
did so, all details. He also wrote out a little 
map showing the roads to be taken from Collins- 
ville to Hagartown. 

“ There now,’’ said Packy, passing over his 
stock to Ethelred, “ you know your part and I 
know mine. Here we are at Collinsville — it’s 
only twelve or thirteen miles' from Henryton. 
Well, so long.” 

Packy helped Ethelred out, and, once they 
were upon the platform of the station, showed 
himself very solicitous in adjusting about Ethel- 
red’s neck the strap which supported the pack. 
He hung over Ethelred for rather a long time, 
tugging here, pulling there. 

Two hours later in the day, Ethelred missed 


E THRLRED PRES TOIST. 239 

three silver dollars from his vest-pocket, and 
wondered how he could have lost them. 

At the present moment, however, he stood 
very much confused and perplexed, watching 
the receding train, and wondering how he had 
been so foolish and so wicked as to have allowed 
himself to be drawn into this cheap and dishonest 
trick. 

“ I’m a goose,” he said to himself. 

Poor Ethelred was right in his self-condemna- 
tion. Strictly speaking he was not a goose, but 
he had allowed a fit of peevishness and a bit of 
human respect to drag him into a position which 
was neither wise nor honorable. 

The little lad, clad in a dainty suit and carry- 
ing a peddler’s pack, excited no little interest 
and comment in the village of Collinsville. He 
had the polite ways of a home-bred boy, and 
people were astonished at the incongruity. 
Ladies, who, as a rule, made short work of ped- 
dlers, were pleased to examine Ethelred ’s wares, 
and several of them made purchases. Ethelred 
began to enjoy the situation. 

Before noon he had sold three dollars’ worth 
of his goods. By this time the village youth 
had discovered him. They rallied together, 
twelve or fifteen, and, in the simplicity of their 


240 ETHELRBD PRESTON-. 

heavy coats, coarse caps, and woollen mittens, 
began to pass invidious remarks upon Ethelred’s 
more complex attire. 

We’ve just come out of a bandbox,” said 

one. 

“ Jest look at the latest style.” 

“ Say, are you a boy or a girl ? ” inquired a 
third. 

Ethelred flushed. 

“ Go away, please,” he said. 

“ There’s a fellow here your size would like 
to lick you,” suggested another pleasantly, and 
he put his hand upon a sturdy, tanned lad no 
taller than Ethelred but much stouter. 

” I’ll do it with one hand tied behind my 
back,” asserted this young bantam. 

“ Here you, Tommy Taggart, go home now, 
or I’ll tell your mother on you. Go away from 
here, all you boys. Do you hear ? ” 

The woman who thus interrupted the opening 
of hostilities was standing on the threshold of 
her house. Judging by her face and manner, 
she was of more than ordinary consequence in 
Collinsville. 

Tommy was the first to take his leave, and 
the others, not slow to follow, left Ethelred fac- 
ing Mrs. Rainey. 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


241 


“ Thank you, ma’am,” said Ethelred, remov- 
ing his hat. 

“ What are you doing here, little boy ?” con- 
tinued Mrs. Rainey. 

“ I’m trying to sell all sorts of things, ma’am; 
I’m a peddler.” 

The lady cast a longing look upon the bright 
face before her and sighed. She had no child 
to gladden her home. 

“ It’s a pity to see a little fellow like you at 
such work. You ought to be at school, my 
dear.” 

‘‘ I have been to school, ma’am, a good deal.” 

“ I thought so; your manners are not what 
one would expect of a person of your calling. 
Where did you go to school? ” 

“ Please, mayn’t I show you some of my 
wares ? ” Ethelred, in thus changing the sub- 
ject, evinced that he did not wish to enter into 
the question of his past life. 

“ Yes, child; come inside, it is cold. Don’t 
you feel the weather ? ” 

My toes do, ma’am,” returned the lad. 
“ Thank you, I shall come in gladly.” 

Mrs. Rainey, who was the wife of the village 
banker, made several purchases. 

‘‘ And now, my boy, won’t you take dinner 


242 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


with me ? I never asked a peddler to dinner 
before, but you are a little boy, a good little 
boy, and I can see behind it all a dear, loving 
mother.” 

Here Ethelred, as he thought of his mother, 
of his ungrateful parting from her, of his way- 
ward conduct, could contain his emotions no 
longer, and burst into a fit of weeping. 

“ There, there, my dear,” said Mrs. Rainey, 
leaving the doorway, advancing to the gate, and 
patting the boy on the head, “ I see there is 
something sad in your past life and I won’t ask 
you anything about it.” 

“ Thank you, ma’am,” said Ethelred. 
‘‘ There is something sad, but not the way you 
think. I am obliged to you for not asking me 
to explain. But I shall explain to you by letter 
in a few days. I am ashamed to, now.” 

Had Ethelred then and there unbosomed him- 
self, as he felt prompted to do, he would have 
been spared much suffering; but shame held 
him silent. Even had he then and there re- 
solved to bring to an end at once his career as a 
peddler, all might have gone well with him ; 
but he had promised to do Packy’s work faith- 
fully, and he clung to his resolution. 

Accordingly, after a hearty dinner and a 


ETHELRED PRESTON, 243 

pleasant chat with Mrs. Rainey, Ethelred, with 
profuse and sincere thanks, took up his pack and 
bade her farewell. 

‘‘ So you are going to Hagartown, my dear ? 
You know the way, I suppose?” 

“ I’ve got a map of the roads which I am to 
take in my pocket, ma’am. This road past your 
house is the main road, isn’t it ? ” 

“ Yes, my dear; you go along it for full two 
miles and a half before you turn. Good-bye.” 

The kind lady, in motherly fashion, kissed the 
little lad and said: 

“ Don’t forget to write to me and to tell me . 
your name and all about yourself. You have 
given me a very bright hour. God has show- 
ered his benefits upon me — a good husband, 
true friends, education, means; but, my dear, 
the little boy of mine, who should be about your 
age, lies over there.” 

And she pointed over towards the graveyard, 
which she did not see, for her eyes were dimmed 
with tears. Ethelred departed thinking of his 
fond mother. Oh, how he wished he could re- 
call that hour of parting and that silly conspiracy 
on board the train. 

Ethelred was resolved henceforth to be a 
different boy in his dealings with his mother. 


244 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


Half an hour’s walk told upon him. He had 
been upon his feet for several hours of the morn- 
ing and the pack was heavy; moreover, he was 
unaccustomed to this manner of life. Worst of 
all, it was growing colder and the wind from the 
north made every step a struggle. He was a 
very tired, a very sad, and a very repentant 
boy before he came to the first turn in the 
road. 

And now the question was — which direction 
to take. 

He laid down his pack and felt in his pockets 
for the rude map. It was gone! Then little 
Ethelred cried heartily, after the fashion of 
mammas’ darlings in such circumstances. His 
feet were aching with the cold, his hands were 
benumbed; there was a strange feeling about 
his ears, not a sharp, but a dull, dead pain. 
He looked about him. There was not a house 
in sight, and to crown all, darkness was coming 
on apace over the dull, dead fields and the 
naked trees, through the branches of which the 
bitter wind howled in desolation. 

It was getting colder every moment; and, in- 
experienced as he was, Ethelred recognized the 
danger of resting in such an exposure. He arose 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 245 

with a heavy heart, and trusting to luck turned 
to the right. 

And very soon (so weary and footsore had 
he become) he abandoned all hope of reaching 
Hagartown that night. In the distance, he saw 
a light shining. It was probably a farm-house. 

If he could only reach that light! On he 
trudged with failing step; the dull pains from 
the cold had grown duller; this cheered him. 

Had he but known what this change meant, 
he would have been frightened. The boy was 
in danger of freezing to death. 

At length after one of the weariest, longest 
quarter of an hour in his life, he came opposite 
the light. It shone from a large homestead 
back some fifty feet from the roadside fence. 

With little difficulty, Ethelred found the gate, 
and was feeling for the latch, when a low growl 
brought his heart to his mouth; and a large 
mastiff came bounding towards him. 

Ethelred stood in great fear of dogs; many 
who are not mammas’ darlings share the same 
dread. 

He turned and ran back the way he had come 
— ran till his legs refused to do their duty. 
The run promised to be disastrous in its conse- 


246 ETHELRED PRESTON, 

quences. He felt as if he were about to faint. 
Even the cold ground seemed to invite him. 
He thought of his mother, but he did not cry. 
It was a time to act, and act quickly. 

Unfastening the pack, he threw it upon the 
road, and summoning all his strength he made 
on, determined to reach Mrs. Rainey’s house, 
which stood at the outskirts of the village. 

Thus relieved by the abandonment of Packy 
Jarboe’s pack, for a few minutes he advanced 
with new energy, and he congratulated himself 
that the pain had all gone. But how drowsy 
he was getting! He felt that he could sleep for 
twenty-four hours at a stretch. More than once 
he was on the point of throwing himself upon 
the wayside. But some blind instinct withheld 
him from indulging in a sleep which would, in 
all likelihood, have known no waking. 

At length he reached the main road, and 
turned, oh, so wearily, toward Mrs. Rainey’s. 

In the distance, he saw another light. It 
was near. It was moving. Nearer and nearer 
it came, while upon the still air, there fell the 
sound of falling hoofs and moving wheels. 

“Help! ” called Ethelred. 

A lantern flashed out from the buggy, and 
moved about rapidly till it rested upon Ethelred. 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


247 


‘‘ Are you the boy that was at Mrs. 
Rainey’s? ” 

Yes, let me in; I want to sleep.” 

A gentleman jumped from the buggy, ran up 
to Ethelred, and as he threw the light upon his 
face and noticed how white the extremities had 
become, he exclaimed: 

‘‘My God! Just in time. The boy is freez- 
ing to death.” 

Ethelred did not hear this ; he had fallen 
into the man’s arms an inert mass. Quickly 
conveying him to the buggy, the man forced 
some liquor down his throat, wrapped him care- 
fully in a large buffalo robe, and, turning round, 
touched his horse with the whip. 

The animal was a blooded horse. He sprang 
forward with all speed, as though he realized he 
were racing against death. 

“Go on, Prince, go on!” cried the driver. 
“ Go on, old boy, if it’s your last race.” 

In little more than four minutes they drew up 
at Mrs. Rainey’s. Even as they paused, the 
good woman threw open the door. 

“ Did you find him?’’ she cried. 

“Yes, wife; your presentiment was correct. 
I was just in time to catch the boy before 
he was frozen.” As Mr. Rainey spoke, he came 


248 ETHELRED PRESTON. 

hurrying across the lawn with the boy bundled 
as he was in the robe. 

“Here, my dear, take him in charge, while I 
go off again for Doctor Marmon ; I shall be 
back in ten minutes.” 

It was an anxious hour that followed ; but 
thanks to care and love and sacrifice and 
prompt medical treatment, the boy was soon 
pronounced out of danger. 

In the evening paper of the following day, 
there was published this item of news: 

ADVENTURES OF A PEDDLER. 

HE didn’t know the WAY AND THE DAY WAS COLD. 

A very small boy undertook to be a peddler. 
Probably he will try some other occupation 
when he recovers. He started out bravely yes- 
terday morning and did quite well, but found 
out before night that it was a cold day. In 
going afoot from Collinsville to Hagartown the 
enterprizing youth lost his road and was nearly 
frozen to death. Mr. Rainey, one of the lead- 
ing citizens of Collinsville, picked him up in an 
unconscious condition. A reporter tried to have 
an interview with the partially thawed-out young 
gentleman, but Mrs. Rainey objected, asserting 
that the boy was too sick to talk. His name 
and place of residence are still unknown. The 
youngster, who is described as a rather pretty 


ETHELRED PRES TORT. 249 

lad, strangely dressed for one in his class of life, 
will not be able to get about for several days; 
and it is not likely that he will be quite so chip- 
per when next he takes the road. 

It was this bit of cheap newspaper wit which 
caused Packy Jarboe such surprise at the rail- 
road station on the night of his first attempt at 
running away. On the instant he changed his 
plans. He would return to college and spend a 
few more days in the hope of fleecing some of 
the students. The danger of detection was 
great, but Packy did not mind taking a risk. 

Before returning to the college, Packy scrib- 
bled a note to his uncle, the hotel-keeper, in 
which, without disclosing fully the state of 
affairs, he entreated him to send him a health- 
bulletin every day concerning the boy who lay 
sick at Mr. Rainey’s house. The answers were 
to be forwarded to Master Packy Jarboe, Henry- 
ton P.O. 

Packy next made a confederate and mail- 
carrier of the day - scholar Farwell, and thus 
succeeded in keeping informed of Ethelred’s 
movements. 

The following letter was the last which he re- 
ceived ; 


250 ETHELRED PRESTOM, 

Tuesday, Jan. 31st, 189-. 

Deer Nevew: The boy is getting round quite 
smart and will leave Ranies next wensday. 
They say he is going to a skule. He is not a 
peddler. I seen him to-day. He was sittin’ 
in a window and looked tollable. Why are you 
so anxous about his helth ? 

Your lovin’ uncle, 

Calvin Jarboe. 

Packy had anticipated the news contained in 
this note, and was prepared when he received 
it to run away at an hour’s notice. He took 
to flight, accordingly, after studies on the same 
evening, with what results the reader already 
knows. 


Ethel RED Preston. 


«5i 


CHAPTER XXL 

IN WHICH ETHELRED FINDS THE BEST OF MOTHERS. 

“W ELL, my dear,’’ said Mrs. Rainey, on 
Thursday morning, “ we shall have to 
lose you.” 

No; it is I who am going to lose you, 
ma’am,” said little Ethelred, who, seated at 
the breakfast-table, was eating with the appetite 
which youth and convalescence are wont to de- 
velop. “ Only for your kindness, I don’t know 
what would have happened to me.” 

“ I took your mother’s place, dear,” said 
Mrs. Rainey simply. When you told me your 
story yesterday I was so relieved. So long as I 
did not know the true circumstances of the case, 
it pained me to think that you were to take up 
that wretched peddler’s life again.” 

That is over,” said Ethelred. ” I’ve been 
taught a lesson. When mamma comes back I 
think she will find me a different boy. I felt 
awful sorry for my conduct towards her after I 
left you that day and began to freeze on the 


252 E THELRED PRES TOJST. 

road. And then, ma’am, since I’ve been with 
you, I’ve learned a lot. One of the reasons I 
had for going off as a peddler was because 
Henryton College was a Catholic school. The 
people around our place are all bitter against 
Catholics, and I believed everything I heard.” 

” No one can blame you for that, Ethelred.” 

^‘You were the first Catholic I ever met, Mrs. 
Rainey, and when I came to myself in your 
house, and saw a crucifix over the bed I was on, 
and a picture of the Virgin, I saw your kind face 
bending down over me too ; and there were 
tears of joy in your eyes because I had come 
to myself. Then I felt that there couldn’t be 
anything so bad about Catholics. And you 
were just like my mother the way you treated 
me.” 

Mrs. Rainey’s face grew very tender as she 
listened. 

“ And sometimes,” continued the eloquent 
lad, “ when you thought I was asleep, I wasn't; 
and I used to watch you saying prayers on 
beads. I liked to look at your face then; it 
used to look something like the beautiful face 
of the Virgin in the picture. 

No, I’m in earnest,” pursued Ethelred, 
noticing Mrs. Rainey’s deprecatory gesture. 


ETHEL RED PRESTOH. 


253 


‘‘And now I shall always be glad to see a cruci- 
fix or a picture of the Virgin, for they will 
make me remember your kindness/' 

Mrs. Rainey kissed the little boy, but said 
nothing. 

“I'm ashamed to write to mamma about my 
conduct, Mrs. Rainey, and I hope you’ll do it 
for me; I know you will put it kindly: and 
don't forget to tell her how sorry I am." 

“ I shall write to her this day, Ethelred, and 
will tell her that you are now well, and about to 
go to college, and that you go there with a 
strong intention of doing well." 

“Thank you, ma'am. In a day or so, when I 
get settled down at Henryton, I will write to 
her myself, and tell her of your kindness; and I 
will tell her too that I intend wearing that mi- 
raculous medal you gave me around my neck 
till I die." 

With regard to the miraculous medal, a word 
of explanation should be given. An hour or 
two after Ethelred’s departure from her home, 
Mrs. Rainey, as was her custom, said some short 
prayers to the Blessed Virgin, concluding with 
a petition for the safety of the little peddler. 
She kissed her medal at the end, and even as 
she did so, it was borne in upon her that the 


^54 


ETHELRED PRESTOM, 


boy peddler was in danger. Mrs. Rainey went 
over to the window and threw it open. It was 
a biting breeze that blew upon her. She had 
not thought it so cold. 

How could a child such as he bear exposure 
to such a temperature? 

Mrs. Rainey took out her beads, and said 
them earnestly for the little wanderer, whose 
pretty ways and childlike innocence had won 
her heart. She was finishing the last decade 
when the sound of wheels without brought her 
breathless to the gate. 

Don’t get out yet, James,” she said to her 
husband. “ There’s a little boy peddler gone 
down the road to Hagartown, and I feel sure 
that he is in danger. He is no ordinary peddler, 
and there is something mysterious about him. 
He looks as if he could not stand much exposure. 
It may be imagination, but I shall not rest to- 
night unless I know that something has been 
done to help him. He was on his way to Jar- 
boe’s hotel. Won’t you please — oh, but you 
must be cold. Here, let me go. It’s a short 
drive.” 

I’m not that kind of a man, Martha. Cold! 
Why, I feel as comfortable as a polar bear. 
You may be mistaken, but, mistake or not, it’s 


ETHELRED PRESTON-. 255 

a charitable and a kind impulse. Get up there, 
Prince. I say, Martha,” he added, as the horse 
turned, ‘‘ have a warm supper ready: and good- 
bye.” 

And when Mr. Rainey returned with the poor 
boy, one of the first things Mrs. Rainey did was 
to put her miraculous medal on the breast of 
the sufferer and commission his recovery to the 
office of the Immaculate Queen. 

All of this she had told Ethelred with her 
usual simplicity; and Ethelred looking at her 
had said: 

Mamma is one and you are two and shey** 
holding up the medal, is three. I have three 
mothers now.” 

Mrs. Rainey accompanied Ethelred to Henry- 
ton. She told her beautiful story to the presi- 
dent; and had she really been Ethelred’s own 
mother, she could not have pleaded more effect- 
ually for the runaway. The boy was received 
unconditionally. 


256 


ETHELRED PRESTON’, 


CHAPTER THE LAST. 

“W HAT a happy crowd! ” exclaimed Father 
Noland, as he entered the boy’s refect- 
ory on the morning of the first Friday in 
February. 

“Come here, Father.” “Come here.” Sit 
near me.” “ This is the best place.” 

The eager young voices produced a babel of 
welcome, while the good old Father stood smil- 
ing and undecided. Earl, the first communi- 
cant, sat at the head of the table; and the 
loveliness of his soul seemed to shine forth from 
his noble face. To his right, scarcely less 
happy, sat little Ethelred, and to his left that 
giddy young godfather Eddie Devereux, who 
could not sit still for very joy, but kept bob- 
bing up and down like a jack-in-the-box. Roger 
Haines and Peter Lane were there too; and 
waiting upon the breakfast party were the vice- 
president and the venerable treasurer of the 
college. 

“ It’s all like a story out of a book. Father 
Noland,” cried Eddie Devereux, who had leaped 


ETHELRED PRESTON. 


257 


up and catching the Father's cincture gently 
forced him to the place nearest Earl. We 

thought we had a lot of adventures here, but 
the real Ethelred Preston’'s story beat ours.” 

There was some sort of providence in the 
whole matter,” said Earl gravely. I couldn’t 
help thinking of it this morning after Com- 
munion. Just one week ago, I was determined 
never to become a Catholic. I was angry and 
spiteful and I really thought that I should never 
change. And do you know, Ethelred, that if 
you had arrived that day as you should have 
arrived, I believe that I should have stuck to my 
resolution ?” 

Little Ethelred stopped eating to put on the 
look of astonishment. 

You see, you’re a nice fellow and you have 
a good home-training. There isn’t a boy in the 
yard that is better off in that respect than you 
are. Most of us, in judging others, go a great 
deal by manners, and I’d have compared you 
with the average Catholic boys here, which 
would not have been to their advantage, and 
you would have helped to confirm me in my 
notion of sticking to Protestantism.” 

You are going to be an analyst, Earl,” said 
p'ather Noland. ‘‘ What you say is quite true. 


258 ETHELRED PRESTON' 

Most of US judge by the exterior, and outward 
respectability is often taken for morality and 
religion.” 

“And, perhaps for that very reason, it was 
the false Ethelred that threw cold water on my 
resolution.” 

“ So, then, the boy you call mamma’s darling 
converted you ? ” observed Ethelred. 

“ He certainly had a great deal to do with 
it.” 

“ Which shows,” put in Father Noland, “ in 
what wondrous ways God brings about His holy 
will.” 

“ So Mamma’s Darling, by coming here, did 
a heap of good without knowing it,” said 
Roger. 

“ And just think of all the fun he afforded 
us! ” chimed in Devereux. 

“ In fact, he has done good to almost every- 
one except himself,” said Earl. “ What a pity 
he didn’t get some improvement out of the 
adventure.” 

“ Perhaps he has, my boy,” said Father 
Noland. “ The boy’s dishonest schemes all 
went wrong — that may be a lesson. Again, he 
has been in good company for a week — and no 
one but God knows how much hidden good is 


ETHELRED PRESTON, 


259 


done by good example. You yourself, Earl, 
were very kind to him ; and I cannot think that 
all your kindness has gone for nothing. Let us 
hope that the boy may be better and wiser for 
his adventures and misadventures at Henryton 
College.” 

“ I feel bound to pray for him; without in- 
tending it, he did me a great deal of good,” said 
Earl. 

“ And you, Ethelred, what have you to say 
for yourself ?” asked Father Noland. 

“ I can’t say all I’d like and eat my breakfast, 
sir. These biscuits are better than our cook’s. 
But it seems to me that if I had come to college 
the day I should have come. I’d have been 
chock-full of ugliness. I hated Catholics, and I 
was angry at mamma, and I wouldn’t have 
studied. I did wrong by going off peddling, 
but God punished me. He nearly froze my 
ears off.” 

“ When God is particularly good. He punishes 
us swiftly,” observed Father Harter. ‘‘When 
the punishment comes tripping upon the heels of 
the fault, we see the connection and we repent.” 

“ That’s the way it was with me, sir. The 
night I was freezing, I prayed in earnest, and I 
think God heard me. And then it looks as if 


26 o 


ETHELRED PRESTON, 


the Virgin helped to save me. And then I was 
treated so nicely at Mrs. Rainey’s; it knocked 
the bottom out. of all my prejudices.” 

“ Talks like a book, doesn’t he ? ” whispered 
Eddie to Roger. 

“Well, Ethelred,” said Earl, with his kind, 
winning smile. “ There’s more than that com- 
ing to you from your adventure.” 

“ What else, Earl ? ” 

“I’m thinking of that medal upon your 
breast. It is going to convert your mamma and 
you too, some of these days.” 

Ethelred turned his eyes down and blushed; 
Earl had touched the wish which Mrs. Rainey 
by her goodness had inspired and which the 
company now about him had strengthened. 
His mother, be it remembered, left him to 
choose his own religion. 

And within a year, all who were present at 
the first Communion breakfast recalled the 
remark, and wondered in the light of its coming 
true whether it had been a prediction or a 
prophecy. 

[THE END.] 


PRINTED BY BENZIGER BROTHERS, NEW YORK. 


STANDARD CATHOLIC BOOKS 

PUBLISHED BY 

BKNZIOKR BROTHERS, 

CINCINNATI; NEW YORK: CHICAGO: 

843 Main St. 86 A 38 BARCI-A.Y ST. 178 Monroe St. 


ABANDONMENT ; or, Absolute Surrender of Self to Divine Provi- 
dence. By Rev. J. P. Caussade, S.J, 32mo, net, o 40 

ANALYSIS OF THE GOSPELS of the Sundays of the Year. By 
Rev. L. A. Lambert, LL.D. i2mo, net, i 25 

ART OF PROFITING BY OUR FAULTS, according to St. 

Francis de Sales. By Rev. J. Tissot. 32010, net, o 40 

BIBLE, THE HOLY. With Annotations, References, and an 
Historical and Chronological Index. i2mo, cloth, i 25 

Also in finer bindings. 

BIRTHDAY SOUVENIR, OR DIARY. With a Subject of Medi- 
tation for Every Day. By Mrs. A. E. Buchanan. 32010, o 50 
BLESSED ONES OF 1888. By Eliza A. Donnelly. i6nio, 
illustrated, o 50 

BLIND FRIEND OF THE POOR : Reminiscences of the Life 
and Works of Mgr. de Segur. i6mo, o 50 

BROWNSON, ORESTES A., Literary, Scientific, and Political 
Views of. Selected from his works, by H. F. Brownson. 
i2mo, net, i 25 

BUGG, LELIA HARDIN. The Correct Thing for Catholics. 
i6mo, o 75 

A Lady. Manners and Social Usages. i6mo, i 00 

CANONICAL PROCEDURE in Disciplinary and Criminal Cases 
of Clerics. By the Rev. Francis Droste. Edited by the Right 
Rev. Sebastian G. Messmer, D.D. i2mo, net, i 50 

CATECHISM OF FAMILIAR THINGS. Their History and the 
Events which led to their Discovery. 1 2m o, illustrated, 100 
CATHOLIC BELIEF ; or, A Short and Simple Exposition of 
Catholic Doctrine. By the Very Rev. Joseph FaA di Bruno, 
D.D. Author’s American edition edited by Rev. Louis A. 
Lambert. 200th Thousand. i6mo. 

Papur, 0.25 ; 25 copies, 4.25 ; 50 copies, 7.50 ; 100 copies, 12 50 
Cloth, 0.50; 25 copies, 8.50; 50 copies, 15.00; 100 copies, 25 00 
“When a book supplies, as does this one, a demand that necessitates the 
printing o£ one hundred thousand [now two hundred thousand] copies, its 
merits need no enlogizing.^’—Ave Maria. 

“The amount of good accomplished by it can never be —Catholic 

Union and Times. 


2 


STANDARD CATHOLIC BOOKS. 


CATHOLIC FAMILY LIBRARY. Composed of “The Christian 
Father,” “The Christian Mother,” “Sure Way to a Happy 
Marriage,” “Instructions on the Commandments and Sacra- 
ments,” and “Stories for First Communicants.” 5 volumes in 
box, 2 00 

CATHOLIC HOME ANNUAL. A Charming Annual for Catho- 
lics. o 25 

CATHOLIC HOME LIBRARY. 10 volumes. i2mo, each, o 50 
Per set, 3 00 

CATHOLIC MEMOIRS OF VERMONT AND NEW HAMP- 
SHIRE. i2mo, cloth, 1. 00 ; paper, o 50 

CATHOLIC WORSHIP. The Sacraments, Ceremonies, and Fes- 
tivals of the Church explained. Brennan. Paper, o. 15 ; per 
100, 9.00. Cloth, 0.25 ; per 100, 15 00 

CATHOLIC YOUNG MAN OF THE PRESENT DAY. By 
Right Rev. Augustine Egger, D.D. 32mo, paper, o. 15 ; per 
100, 9.00. Cloth, 0.25 ; per 100, 15 00 

CHARITY THE ORIGIN OF EVERY BLESSING. i6mo, o 75 

CHRIST IN TYPE AND PROPHECY. By Rev. A. J. Maas, S.J. 
2 vols., i2mo, net, 4 00 

“By far the most serviceable manual that has hitherto appeared in the 

English language on a most important London Tablet. 

CHRISTIAN ANTHROPOLOGY. By Rev. J. Thein. 8vo, «<?/, 2 50 

CHRISTIAN FATHER, THE : what he should be, and what be 
should do. Paper, 0.25 ; per 100, 12.50. Cloth, 0.35 ; per 
100, 21 00 

CHRISTIAN MOTHER, THE : the Education of her Children 
and her Prayer. Paper, 0.25; per 100, 12.50. Cloth, 0.35; 
per 100, 21 00 

CIRCUS-RIDER’S DAUGHTER, THE. A novel. By F. v. 
Bracket. i2mo, i 25 

CLARKE, REV. RICHARD F., S.J. The Devout Year. Short 
Meditations. 24mo, net, o 60 

COCHEM’S EXPLANATION OF THE MASS. With Preface 
by Rt. Rev. C. P. Maes, D.D. i2mo, cloth, i 25 

COMEDY OF ENGLISH PROTESTANTISM, THE. Edited by 
A. F. Marshall, B.A. Oxon. i2mo, net, o 50 

COMPENDIUM SACRAE LITURGIAE Juxta Ritum Romanum 
una cum Appendice De Jure Ecclesiastico Particular! in America 
Foederata Sept, vigente scripsit P. Wapelhorst, O.S.F. 
Svo, net, 2 50 


STANDARD CATHOLIC BOOKS. 


'X 


CONNOR D’ARCY’S STRUGGLES. A novel. By Mrs. W. M. 
Bertholds. i2mo, i 25 

COUNSELS OF A CATHOLIC MOTHER to Her Daughter, 


i6mo 


o 50 


CROWN OF THORNS, THE ; or. The Little Breviary of the 
Holy Face. 32mo, o 50 

DATA OF MODERN ETHICS EXAMINED, THE. By Rev. 
John J. Ming, S.J. i2mo, nef, 2 00 

DE GOESBRIAND, RIGHT REV. L. Christ on the Altar. 
Instructions for the Sundays and Festivals of the Year. Quarto 
cloth, richly illustrated, gilt edges, 6 00 

Jesus the Good Shepherd. i6mo. 


— The Labors of the Apostles : 
Nations. i2mo, 


nel o 75 

Their Teaching of the 
nel I 00 

History of Confession ; or. The Dogma of Confession Vindi- 
cated. i6mo, net, o 75 

EGAN, MAURICE F. The Vocation of Edward Conway. A 
novel. i2mo, i 25 

The Flower of the Flock, and the Badgers of Belmont. 

i2mo, I 00 

How They Worked Their Way, and Other Stories, i 00 

A Gentleman. i6mo, o 75 

ENGLISH READER. Edited by Rev. Edward Connolly, S.J. 

i2mo, I 25 

EUCHARISTIC GEMS. A Thought about the Most Blessed Sac- 

rament for Every Day, By Rev. L. C. Coelenbier. i6mo, o 75 

EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE for the use of Priests who 
are making a Retreat. By Gaduel. 32mo, nef, o 30 

EXPLANATION OF THE BALTIMORE CATECHISM of Chris- 
tian Doctrine. By Rev. Thomas L. Kinkead. i2mo, ne/, 1 00 

EXPLANATION OF THE GOSPELS of the Sundays and Holy- 
days. From the Italian, by Rev. L. A. Lambert, LL.D. With 
An Explanation of Catholic Worship. From the German, by 
Rev. Richard Brennan, LL.D. 24mo, illustrated. 

Paper, 0.25; 25 copies, 4.25 ; 50 copies, 7.50; 100 copies, 12 50 

Cloth, 0.50; 25 copies, 8.50; 50 copies, 15.00; 100 copies, 25 00 

“It is with pleasure I recommend the ‘Explanation of the Gospels and of 

Catholic Worship ’ to the clergy and the laity. It should have a very extensive 

sale ; lucid explanation, clear style, solid matter, beautiful illustrations. Every- 
body will learn from this little book.”— ARCHBISHOP JANSSENS. 

FABIOLA ; or. The Church of the Catacombs. By Cardinal 
Wiseman. Illustrated Edition, i2mo, i 25 

Edition de luxe, 6 00 


4 


STANDARD CATHOLIC BOOKS. 


FINN, REV. FRANCIS J., S.J. Percy Wynn ; or, Making a Boy 


of Him. i2mo, 

— Tom Playfair; or, Making a Start. i2mo, 

— Harry Dee; or. Working it Out. i2mo, 

— Claude Lightfoot ; or. How the Problem ^ 
i2mo, 

— Ethelred Preston; or. The Adventures of a 


i2mo, 

— Mostly Boys. 


i6mo. 


o 85 
o 85 
o 85 
v^as Solved. 

o 85 
Newcomer, 
o 85 
o 8 = 


Father Finn’s books are, in the opinion of the best critics, standard works 
in modern English literature ; they are full of fascinating interest, replete with 
stirring and amusing incidents of college life, and admirably adapted to the 
wants of our boys. 


or. The Old Tales Told Again. 

o 75 


FIVE O’CLOCK STORIES 
i6mo, 

FLOWERS OF THE PASSION. Thoughts of St. Paul of the Cross. 
By Rev. Louis Th. de Jesus-Agonisant. 32mo, o 50 

FOLLOWING OF CHRIST, THE. By Thomas A Kempis. 
With reflections. Small 32mo, cloth, o 50 

Without reflections. Small 32mo, cloth, o 45 

Edition de luxe. Illustrated, from i 50 up. 

FRANCIS DE SALES, ST. Guide for Confession and Com- 
munion. Translated by Mrs, Bennett-Gladstone. 32mo, o 60 

Maxims and Counsels for Every Day. 32mo, o 50 

New Year Greetings. 32mo, flexible cloth, 15 cents ; per 

100, 10 00 

GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF THE RELIGIOUS LIFE. By 
Very Rev. Boniface F. Verheyen, O.S.B. 32mo, net, o 30 

GLORIES OF DIVINE GRACE. From the German of Dr. M. 
Jos. ScHEEBEN, by a Benedictine Monk. i2mo, net, 1 50 

GOD KNOWABLE AND KNOWN. Ronayne. i2mo, net, i 25 

GOFFINE’S DEVOUT INSTRUCTIONS on the Epistles and 
Gospels. With Preface by His Eminence Cardinal Gibbons. 
Illustrated edition. 8vo, cloth, i.oo; 10 copies, 7.50 ; 25 copies, 
17.50; 50 copies, 33 50 

This is the best, the cheapest, and the most popular illustrated 
edition of Gofiine’s Instructions. 

“GOLDEN SANDS,” Books by the Author of : 

Golden Sands. Third, Fourth, Fifth Series. 32mo, each,o 60 
Book of the Professed. 32mo. 

,Vol. 1 . ) C net, o 75 

Vol. H. >• Each with a steel-plate Frontispiece. ■< net, o 60 

Vol. HI. ) ( 7 iet, o 60 

Prayer. 32mo, 7 iet, o 40 

The Little Book of Superiors. 32mo, net, o 60 

Spiritual Direction, 32mo, net, o 60 

Little Month of May. 32mo, flexible cloth, . o 25 

Little Mouth of the Poor Souls. 32mo, flexible cloth, o 25 


STANDARD CATHOLIC BOOKS. 5 

GREETINGS TO THE CHRIST-CHILD. A Collection of Christ- 
mas Poems for the Young. i6mo, illustrated, o 50 

GROU, REV. J., S.J. The Characteristics of True Devotion. 
Translated from the French by the Rev. Alexander Clin- 
ton, S.J. A new edition, by Rev. Samuel H. Frisbee, S.J. 

i6mo, net, o 75 

The Interior of Jesus and Mary. Edited by Rev. Samuel H. 

Frisbee, S.J. i6mo, 2 vols., net, 2 00 

HAMON’S MEDITATIONS. See under Meditations. 5 vols. 
i6mo, net, 5 00 

HANDBOOK FOR ALTAR SOCIETIES, and Guide for Sacris- 
tans and others having charge of the Altar and Sanctuary. 
i6mo, net, o 75 

HANDBOOK OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION. For the use 
of Advanced Students and the Educated Laity. By Rev. W. 
WiLMERS, S.J. From the German. Edited by Rev. James 
Conway, S.J. i2mo, net, i 50 

HAPPY YEAR, A; or. The Year Sanctified by Meditating on the 
Maxims and Sayings of the Saints. By Abbe Lasausse. 
i2mo, net, i 00 

HEART, THE, OF ST. JANE FRANCES DE CHANTAL. 
Thoughts and Prayers. 32mo, net, o 40 

HIDDEN TREASURE; or, The Value and Excellence of the 
Holy Mass. By St. Leonard of Port-Maurice. 32mo, o 50 

HISTORY OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. By Dr. H. Brueck. 
With Additions from the Writings of His Eminence Cardinal 
Hergenrother. Translated by Rev. E. Pruente. 2 vols. , 
8vo, net, 3 00 

HISTORY OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. Adapted by Rev. 
Richard Brennan, LL.D. With a History of the Church in 
America, by John Gilmary Shea, LL.D. With 90 Illustrations. 
8vo, 2 00 

HISTORY OF THE MASS and its Ceremonies in the Eastern and 
Western Church. By Rev. John O’Brien, A. M. net, i 25 

HOLY FACE OF JESUS, THE. A Series of Meditations on the 
Litany of the Holy Face. 32mo, o 50 

HOURS BEFORE THE ALTAR; or. Meditations on the Holy 
Eucharist. By Mgr. De La Bouillerie. 32mo, o 50 

HOW TO GET ON. By Rev. Bernard Feeney. i2mo, paper, 
o 50; cloth, I 00 

HUNOLT’S SERMONS. Sermons by the Rev. Francis Hunolt, 
Priest ’of the Society of Jesus and Preacher in the Cathedral of 


6 


STANDARD CATHOLIC BOOKS. 


Treves. Translated from the original German edition of 
Cologne, 1740, by the Rev. J. Allen, D.D. 12 vols., 8vo, 30 00 
Per set of 2 vols. , net, 5 00 

Vols. I, 2. The Christian State of Life. 

Vols. 3, 4. The Bad Christian. 

Vols. 5, 6. The Penitent Christian. 

Vols. 7, 8. The Good Christian. 

Vols. 9, 10. The Christian’s Last End. 

Vols. II, 12. The Christian’s Model. 

His Eminence Cardinal Satolli, Pro-Delegate Apostolic : “ . . . I believe 
that in it is found realized the desire of the Holy Father, who not long ago in an 
encyclical urged so strongly the return to the simple, unaffected, but earnest and 
eloquent preaching of the word of God. . . ” 

His Eminence Cardinal Gibbons, Archbishop of Baltimore : . , . “ Contain a 
fund of solid doctrine, presented in a clear and forcible style. These sermons 
should find a place in the library of every priest. ...” 

His Eminence Cardinal Vaughan, Archbishop of Westminster can- 

not praise it too highly, and I think it might find a place in every priest’s 
library.” 

His Eminence Cardinal Logue, Archbishop of Armagh, Primate of all Ire- 
land : “ . . . What is of real service is some work in which the preacher can find 
sound, solid matter. I believe Father Hunolt’s Sermons furnishes an inex- 
haustible treasure of such matter. ...” 

IDOLS ; or. The Secret of the Rue Chaussee d’ Antin. A novel. By 
Raoul de Navery. i2mo, i 25 

INSTRUCTIONS ON THE COMMANDMENTS and the Sacra- 
ments. By St. Liguori. 32mo. Paper, 0.25 ; per 100, 12 50 

Cloth, 0.35; per 100, 21 00 

KONINGS, THEOLOGIA MORALIS. Novissimi Ecclesiae Doc- 
toris S. Alphonsi. In Compendium Redacta, et Usui Venerabilis 
Cleri Americani Accommodata, Auctore A. Konings, C.SS. R. 
Editio septima, auctior, etnovis curis expolitior, curante Henrico 
Kuper, C. SS. R. The two vols. in one, half morocco, net, 4 00 
LEGENDS AND STORIES OF THE HOLY CHILD JESUS 
from Many Lands. Collected by A. Fowler Lutz. i6mo, o 75 
LEPER QUEEN, THE. A Story of the Thirteenth Century. 

i6mo, o 50 

LIBRARY OF THE RELIGIOUS LIFE, Composed of “ Book of 
the Professed,”by the author of “ Golden Sands,” 3 vols. ; “Spirit- 
ual Direction,” by the author of “ Golden Sands” ; and “ Sou- 
venir of the Novitiate.” 5 vols., 32mo, in case, 3 25 

LIFE AND ACTS OF LEO XHI. By Rev. Joseph E. Keller, S. J. 

Fully and beautifully illustrated. 8vo, 2 00 

LIFE OF ST. ALOYSIUS GONZAGA. From the Italian of Rev. 
Father Cepari, S.J. Edited by Rev. F. Goldie, S.J. Edition 
de luxe, richly illustrated. 8vo, net, 2 50 

LIFE OF THE EVER-BLESSED VIRGIN. From Her Concep- 
tion to Her Assumption. i2mo, imitation cloth, o 30 

LIFE OF FATHER CHARLES SIRE. By his brother, Rev. 

Vital Sire. i2mo, net, i 00 

LIFE OF ST. CLARE OF MONTEFALCO. By Rev. Joseph A. 
Locke, O.S.A. i2mo, net, o 75 


STANDARD CATHOLIC BOOKS. 7 

LIFE OF THE VEN. MARY CRESCENTIA HOSS. 

i2mo, net, i 25 

LIFE OF REV. MOTHER ST. JOHN FONTBONNE. By 
Abbe Rivaux. i2mo, net, i 25 

LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS, APOSTLE OF PERU. 

i6mo, net, o 50 

LIFE OF ST. GERMAINE COUSIN. i6mo, o 50 

LIFE OF ST. IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA. By Father Genelli. 

i2mo, net, i 25 

LIFE OF ST. CHANTAL. See under St. Chantal. net, 4 00 

(LIFE OF) MOST REV. JOHN HUGHES, First Archbishop of 
New York. By Rev. H. A. Brann, D.D. T2mo, net, o 75 

LIFE OF FATHER JOGUES. By Father Felix Martin, S.J. 

From the French by John Gilmary Shea. i2mo, net, o 75 

LIFE OF MLLE. LE GRAS. i2mo, net, i 25 

LIFE OF MARY FOR CHILDREN. By Anne R. Bennett, nee 
Gladstone. 24mo, illustrated, net, o 50 

LIFE OF RIGHT REV. JOHN N. NEUMANN, D.D. By Rev. 

E. Grimm, C.SS.R. i2mo, net, i 25 

LIFE OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST and of 
His blessed Mother. Adapted by Rev. Richard Brennan, 
LL.D. With nearly 600 illustrations. No. i. Roan back, gold 
title, plain cloth sides, sprinkled edges, net, 5 00 

No. 3. Morocco back and corners, cloth sides with gold stamp, 
gilt edges, net, 7 00 

No. 4. Full morocco, richly gilt back, with large figure of Our 
Lord in gold on side, gilt edges, net, 9 00 

No. 5. Full morocco, block-paneled sides, superbly gilt, gilt 
edges, net, 10 00 

LIFE OF OUR BLESSED LORD. His Life, Death, Resurrec- 
tion. 1 2mo, imitation cloth, 030 

LIFE, POPULAR, OF ST. TERESA OF JESUS. By L’Abbe 
Marie-Joseph. i2mo, net, o 75 

LIGUORI, ST. ALPHONSUS DE. Complete Ascetical Works of. 
Centenary Edition. Edited by Rev. Eugene Grimm, C.SS.R. 
Price, per volume, net, 125 

Each book is complete in itself, and any volume will be sold separately. 
Volumes i to 22 are now ready. 

Preparation for Death. 

Way of Salvation and of Per- 
fection. 

Great Means of Salvation and 
Perfection. 

Incarnation, Birth, and In- 
fancy of Christ. 

The Passion and Death of 
Christ. 

The Holy Eucharist. 

The Glories of Mary, 2 vols. 

Victories of the Martyrs. 


True Spouse of Christ, 2 vols. 
Dignity and Duties of the 
Priest. 

The Holy Mass. 

The Divine Office. 

Preaching. 

Abridged Sermons for all the 
Sundays. 

Miscellany. 

Letters, 4 vols. 

Letters and General Index. 
Life of St. Alphonsus, 2 vols. 


8 STANDARD CATHOLIC BOOKS. 

LINKED LIVES. A novel. By Lady Gertrude Douglas. 
8vo, I 50 

LITTLE COMPLIMENTS OF THE SEASON. Simple Verses for 
Namedays, Birthdays, Christmas, New Year, and other festive 
and social occasions. By Eleanor C. Donnelly. i2mo, net,o 50 

LITTLE MANUAL OF ST. ANTHONY. Illustrated. 32mo, 
cloth, o 60 

LITTLE MANUAL OF THE SODALITY OF THE CHILD 
JESUS. 32mo, o 20 

LITTLE PICTORIAL LIVES OF THE SAINTS. With Reflec- 
tions for Every Day in the Year. Edited by John Gilmary 
Shea, LL.D. With nearly 400 illustrations. i2mo, cloth, ink 
and gold side, i 00 

10 copies, 6.25; 25 copies, 15.00; 50 copies, 27.50; 100 copies, 50 00 

The book has received the approbation of the following prelates : Arch- 
bishop Kenrick, Archbishop Grace, Archbishop Hennessy, Archbishop 
Salpointe, Archbishop Ryan, Archbishop Gross, Archbishop Duhamel, Arch- 
bishop Kain, Archbishop O’Brien, Archbishop Katzer, Bishop McCloskey, 
Bishop Grandin, Bishop O’Hara, Bishop Mullen, Bishop Marty, Bishop ]^an, of 
Buffalo; Bishop Fink, Bishop Seidenbush, Bishop Moreau, Bishop Racine, 
Bishop Spalding, Bishop Vertin, Bishop Junger, Bishop Naughten, Bishop 
Richter, Bishop Rademacher, Bishop Cosgrove, Bishop Curtis, and Bishop 
Glorieux. 

LITTLE PRAYER BOOK OF THE SACRED HEART. Prayers 
and Practices of Blessed Margaret Mary. Sm. 32mo, cloth, o 40 
Also in finer bindings. 

LITTLE SAINT OF NINE YEARS. From the French of Mgr. 
De Segur, by Mary McMahon. i6mo, o 50 

LIVES, SHORT, OF THE SAINTS; or. Our Birthday Bouquet. 
By Eleanor C. Donnelly. i6mo, i 00 

LOURDES. Its Inhabitants, Its Pilgrims, Its Miracles. By R. F. 
Clarke, S.J. i6mo, illustrated, o 75 

LUTHER’S OWN STATEMENTS Concerning his Teachings and 
its Results. By Henry O’Connor, S.J. i2mo, paper, 015 

MANIFESTATION OF CONSCIENCE. Confessions and Com- 
munions in Religious Communities. By Rev. Pie de Langogne, 
O.M.Cap. 32mo, net, o 50 

MANUAL OF THE HOLY FAMILY. Prayers and Instructions 
for Catholic Parents. 32mo, cloth, o 60 

Also in finer bindings, 

MANUAL OF INDULGENCED PRAYERS. A Complete Prayer 
Book. Arranged and disposed for daily use by Rev. Bonaven- 
TURE Hammer, O.S.F. Small 32mo, cloth, o 40 

Also in finer bindings. 

MARCELLA GRACE. A novel. By Rosa Mulholland. With 
illustrations after original drawings. i2mo, i 25 

MARRIAGE. By Very Rev. PiRE Monsabre, O.P. From the 
French, by M. Hopper. i2mo, net, i 00 


STANDARD CATHOLIC BOOKS. 


9 


MARRIAGE, Popular Instructions On. By Very Rev. F. Girardey, 
C.SS.R. 32mo, paper, 0.2s; per 100, 12.50; cloth, 0.35; 

per 100, 21 00 

The instructions treat of the great dignity of matrimony, its indissolubility, 
the obstacles to it, the evils of mixed marriage, the manner of getting married, 
and the duties it imposes on the married between each other and in reference 
to their offspring. 

MEANS OF GRACE, THE. A Complete Exposition of the Seven 
Sacraments, of the Sacramentals, and of Prayer, with a Com- 
prehensive Explanation of the “ Lord’s Prayer” and the “ Hail 
Mary.” By Rev. Richard Brennan, LL.D. With 180 full-page 
and other illustrations. 8vo, cloth, 2. 50; gilt edges, 3.00; Library 
edition, half levant, 3 50 

“The best book for family use out.” — B ishop Mullen. 

“ A work worthy of unstinted praise and heartiest commendation.”— BISHOP 
Ryan, of Buffalo. 

“The wealth of matter, the admirable arrangement, and the simplicity of 
language of this work will make it a valuable addition to the household library.” 
—Bishop Bradley. 

MEDITATIONS (BAXTER) for Every Day in the Year. By Rev. 
Roger Baxter, S.J. Republished by Rev. P. Neale, S.J. 
Small i2mo, net, i 25 

MEDITATIONS (HAMON’S) FOR ALL THE DAYS OF THE 
YEAR. For the use of Priests, Religious, and the Laity. By 
Rev. M. Hamon, SS., Pastor of St. Sulpice, Paris. From the 
French, by Mrs. Anne R. Bennett-Glad stone. With Alphabetic 
Index. 5 vols., i6mo, cloth, gilt top, each with a Steel Engrav- 
ing, net, 5 00 

“ The five handsome volumes will form a very useful addition to the 
devotional library of every ecclesiastic.” — His Eminence Cardinal Logue. 

“ Hamon’s doctrine is the unadulterated word of God, presented with unc- 
tion, exquisite taste, and freed from that exaggerated and sickly sentimentalism 
which disgusts when it does not mislead.” — M ost Rev. P. L. Chapelle, D.D. 

“ We are using them daily, and are delighted with them.”— Mother M. 
Blanche, Mother House Sisters of Charity, Mt. St. Joseph, O. 

“ Having examined the ‘Meditations ’ by M. Hamon, SS., we are pleased to 
recommend them not only as useful and practicable for religious, but also for 
those who in the world desire by means of mental prayer to advance in the 
spiritual life.”— Sisters of St. Joseph, Flushing, L. I. 

MEDITATIONS (PERINALDO) on the Sufferings of Jesus Christ. 
From the Italian of Rev. Francis da Perinaldo, O.S.F. 
i2mo, net, o 75 

MEDITATIONS (VERCRUYSSE), for Every Day in the Year, on 

the Life of Our Lord Jesus Christ. By the Rev. Father Bruno 
Vercruysse, S.J. 2 vols., 4 00 

MEDITATIONS ON THE PASSION OF OUR LORD. By a 
Passionist Father. 32mo, o 40 

MISTRESS OF NOVICES, The, Instructed in her Duties. From 
the French of the Abbe Leguay, by Rev. Ignatius Sisk. i2mo, 
cloth, net, o 75 

MOMENTS BEFORE THE TABERNACLE. By Rev. Matthew 
Russell, S.J. 24mo, net, o 40 


10 


STANDARD CATHOLIC BOOKS. 


MONK’S PARDON. A Historical Romance of the Time of Philip 
IV. of Spain. By Raoul de Navery. i2mo, i 25 

MONTH OF THE DEAD. 32mo, o 75 

MONTH OF MAY. From the French of Father Debussi, S.J., by 
Ella McMahon. 32mo, o 50 


MONTH, NEW, OF MARY, St. Francis de Sales. 32mo, o 40 


MONTH, NEW, OF THE SACRED HEART, St. Francis de 

Sales. 32mo, o 40 

MONTH, NEW, OF ST. JOSEPH, St. Francis de Sales. 32mo, o 40 

MONTH, NEW, OF THE HOLY ANGELS, St. Francis de Sales. 
32mo, o 40 


MR. BILLY BUTTONS. A novel. By Walter Lecky. i2mo, i 25 

MULLER, REV. MICHAEL, C.SS.R. God the Teacher of 
Mankind. A plain, comprehensive Explanation of Christian 
Doctrine. 9 vols. , crown 8vo. Per set, net, 9 50 

The Church and Her Enemies. net, i 10 

The Apostles’ Creed. net, i 10 

The First and Greatest Commandment. net, i 40 

Explanation of the Commandments, continued. Precepts of the 
Church. net, 1 10 

Dignity, Authority, and Duties of Parents, Ecclesiastical and 


Civil Powers. Their Enemies. 
Grace and the Sacraments. 

Holy Mass. 

Eucharist and Penance. 
Sacramentals — Prayer, etc. 


net, 

net, 

net, 

net, 

net. 


40 

25 

25 

10 

00 


Familiar Explanation of Catholic Doctrine. i2mo, i 00 

The Prodigal Son ; or. The Sinner’s Return to God. 

8vo, net, i 00 

The Devotion of the Holy Rosary and the Five Scapulars. 

8vo, net, o 75 

The Catholic Priesthood. 2 vols., 8vo, net, 3 00 

MY FIRST COMMUNION: The Happiest Day of My Life. 
Brennan. i6mo, illustrated, o 75 


NAMES THAT LIVE IN CATHOLIC HEARTS. Cardinal 
Ximenes — Michael Angelo — Samuel de Champlain — Archbishop 
Plunkett — Charles Carroll — Henry Laroche jacquelein — Simon 
de Montfort. By Anna T. Sadlier. i2mo, i 00 

NATALIE NARISCHKIN, Sister of Charity of St. Vincent of Paul. 
By Lady G. Fullerton. i2mo, net, o 75 

NEW TESTAMENT, THE. 32mo. Limp cloth, net, 0.20 ; levant, 
net, 1. 00 ; French calf, red edges, net, i 60 


STANDARD CATHOLIC BOOKS. 


II 


OFFICE, COMPLETE. OF HOLY WEEK, according to the 
Roman Missal and Breviary, in Latin and English. New 
edition, revised and enlarged. 24mo, cloth, 0.50 ; cloth, limp, 
gilt edges, i 00 

Also in finer bindings. 

O’GRADY, ELEANOR. Aids to Correct and Effective Elocution. 
i2mo, I 25 

Select Recitations for Schools and Academies. i2mo, i 00 

Readings and Recitations for Juniors. i6mo, net, o 50 

Elocution Class. A Simplification of the Laws and Prin- 
ciples of Expression. i6mo, net, o 50 

ON CHRISTIAN ART. By Edith Healy. i6mo, o 50 

ON THE ROAD TO ROME, and How Two Brothers Got There. 
By William Richards. i6mo, net, o 75 

ONE AND THIRTY DAYS WITH BLESSED MARGARET 
MARY. 32mo, flexible cloth, o 25 

ONE ANGEL MORE IN HEAVEN. With Letters of Condo- 
lence by St. Francis de Sales and others. White mar., 050 

OUR BIRTHDAY BOUQUET. Culled from the Shrines of Saints 
and the Gardens of Poets. By E. C. Donnelly. i6mo, i 00 

OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL IN GENAZZANO. By 
Anne R. Bennett, nee Gladstone. 32mo, o 75 

OUR OWN WILL, and How to Detect it in Our Actions. By the 
Rev. John Allen, D.D. i6mo, net, o 75 

OUR YOUNG FOLKS’ LIBRARY. 10 volumes. i2mo. Each, 
o 50 ; per set, 3 00 

OUTLAW OF CAMARGUE, THE. A novel. By A. De Lamothe. 

i2mo, I 25 

OUTLINES OF DOGMATIC THEOLOGY. By Rev. Sylvester 
J. Hunter, S.J. 3 vols., i2mo, net, 4 50 

PARADISE ON EARTH OPENED TO ALL ; or, A Religious 
Vocation the Surest Way in Life. 32mo, net, o 40 

PEARLS FROM FABER. Selected and arranged by Marion J. 

Brunowe. 32mo, o 50 

PETRONILLA, and other Stories. By E. C. Donnelly. i2mo, i 00 

PHILOSOPHY, ENGLISH MANUALS OF CATHOLIC. 

Logic. By Richard F. Clarke, S.J. i2mo, net, i 25 

First Principles of Knowledge. By John Rickaby, S.J. 

i2mo, net, i 25 

Moral Philosophy (Ethics and Natural Law). By Joseph 
Rickaby, S.J. i2mo, net, 1 25 

Natural Theology. By Bernard Boedder, S.J. 12^0, net, i 50 

Psychology. By Michael Maher, S.J. i2mo, net, i 50 

General Metaphysics. By John Rickaby, S.J. i2mo, net, i 25 

A Manual of Political Economy. By C. S. Devas, Esq., M.A. 
i2mo, net, i 50 


12 


STANDARD CATHOLIC BOOKS. 


PICTORIAL LIVES OF THE SAINTS. With Reflections for 
Every Day in the Year. Edited by John Gilmary Shea, LL.D. 
50th Thousand. 8vo, 2 00 

5 copies, 6.65 ; 10 copies, 12.50 ; 25 copies, 27.50 ; 50 copies, 50 00 

PRAYER-BOOK FOR LENT. Meditations and Prayers for Lent. 
32mo, cloth, o 50 

Also in finer bindings. 

PRAXIS SYNOD ALIS. Manuale Synodi Diocesanse ac Provin- 
cialis Celebrandse. i2mo, net, o 60 

PRIEST IN THE PULPIT, THE. A Manual of HomUetics and 
Catechetics. Adapted from the German of Rev. I. Schuech, 
O.S.B., by Rev. B. Luebbermann. 8vo, net, i 50 

PRIMER FOR CONVERTS, A. By Rev. J. T. Durward. 32mo, 
flexible cloth, o 25 

PRINCIPLES OF ANTHROPOLOGY AND BIOLOGY. By Rev. 
Thomas Hughes, S.J. i6mo, net, o 75 

REASONABLENESS OF CATHOLIC CEREMONIES AND 
PRACTICES. By Rev. J. J. Burke. i2mo, flexible cloth, o 35 

RELIGIOUS STATE, THE. With a Short Treatise on Vocation 
to the Priesthood. By St. Alphonsus de Liguori. 32mo, o 50 

REMINISCENCES OF RT. REV. EDGAR P. WADHAMS, D.D., 
First Bishop of Ogdensburg. By Rev. C. A. Walworth. 
i2mo, illustrated, net, i 00 

RIGHTS OF OUR LITTLE ONES ; or. First Principles on Edu- 
cation in Catechetical Form. By Rev. James Conway, S.J. 
32mo, paper, 0.15 ; per 100, 9.00 ; cloth, 0.25 ; per 100, 15 00 

ROSARY, THE MOST HOLY, in Thirty-one Meditations, Prayers, 
and Examples. By Rev. Eugene Grimm, C.SS.R. 32mo, 050 

RUSSO, N., S.J.— De Philosophia Moral! Prselectiones in Collegio 
Georgiopolitano Soc. Jes. Anno 1889-90 Habitae, a Patre 
Nicolao Russo. Editio altera. 8vo, half leather, net, 2 00 

ST. CHANTAL AND THE FOUNDATION OF THE VISITA- 
TION. By Monseigneur Bougaud. 2 vols., 8vo, net, 4 00 

ST. JOSEPH, THE ADVOCATE OF HOPELESS CASES. 
From the French of Rev. Father Huguet. 24mo, i 00 

SACRAMENTALS OF THE HOLY CATHOLIC CHURCH, 
THE. By Rev. A. A. Lambing, LL.D. Large Edition, 
i2mo, net, i 25 

Popular Edition, illustrated, 24mo. 

Paper, 0.25; 25 copies, 4.25; 50 copies, 7.50; 100 copies, 12 50 
Cloth, 0.50; 25 copies, 8.50; 50 copies, 15.00; 100 copies, 25 00 

“Am glad you have issued so practical a work, in a shape in which it ought 
to reach every Catholic family.”— Cardinal Satolli, Delegate Apostolic. 


STANDARD CATHOLIC BOOKS. 


13 


SACRED HEART, BOOKS ON THE. 

Devotions to the Sacred Heart for the First Friday of Every 
Month. By P. Huguet. 32mo, o 40 

213. Imitation Levant, limp, gilt centre, round corners, edges 
red under gold, i 35 

Imitation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. By Rev. F. Arnoudt, 
S.J. From the Latin by Rev. J. M. Fastre, S.J. i6mo, 
cloth, I 25 

Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. From the French of 

Rev. Father Huguet. 32mo, o 75 

New Month of the Sacred Heart, St. Francis de Sales. 32mo, o 40 

One and Thirty Days with Blessed Margaret Mary. From 
the French by a Visitandine of Baltimore. 32mo, flexible 
cloth, o 25 

Pearls from the Casket of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. A Col- 
lection of the Letters, Maxims, and Practices of the Blessed 
Margaret Mary Alacoque. Edited by Eleanor C. Donnelly. 
32mo, o 50 

Month of the Sacred Heart for the Young Christian. By 
Brother Philippe. From the French by E. A. Mulligan. 
32mo, o 50 

Sacred Heart Studied in the Sacred Scriptures. By Rev. H. 

Saintrain, C.SS.R. 8vo, net, 2 00 

Revelations of the Sacred Heart to Blessed Margaret Mary ; 
and the History of her Life. By Monseigneur Bougaud. 
8vo, net, i 50 

Six Sermons on Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. From 
the German of Rev. Dr. E. Bierbaum, by Ella McMahon. 
i6mo, net, o 60 

Year of the Sacred Heart. Drawn from the works of P^re de 
LA CoLOMBifeRE, of Blessed Margaret Mary, and of others. 
32mo, o 50 

SAINTS, THE NEW, OF 1888. By Rev. Francis Goldie, S.J., 
and Rev. Father Scola, S.J. i6mo, illustrated, o 50 

According to St. Francis de 

i2mo, net, i 00 

SERAPHIC GUIDE. A Manual for the Members of the Third 
Order of St. Francis. o 60 

Roail, red edges, o 75 

The same in German at the same prices. 

SERMONS, HUNOLT. See under Hunolt. 

SERMONS ON THE BLESSED VIRGIN. 

McDermott. i6mo, 

SERMONS for the Sundays and Chief Festivals of the Ecclesiastical 
Year. With Two Courses of Lenten Sermons and a Triduum 
for the Forty Hours. By Rev. Julius Pottgeisser, S.J. From 
the German by Rev. James Conway, S.J. 2 vols., 8vo, 7 tet, 2 50 


SECRET OF SANCTITY, THE. 
Sales and Father Crasset, S.J. 


By Very Rev. D. 1 . 

net, o 75 


14 


STANDARD CATHOLIC BOOKS. 


SERMONS, SHORT, FOR LOW MASSES. A complete, brief 
course of instruction on Christian Doctrine. By Rev. F. X. 
ScHouppE, S.J. i2mo, net, i 25 

SERMONS, SIX, on Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. From 
the German of Rev. Dr. E. Bierbaum, by Ella McMahon, 
i6mo, net, o 60 

SHORT CONFERENCES ON THE LITTLE OFFICE OF THE 
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION. By Very Rev. Joseph 
Rainer. With Prayers. 32mo, o 50 

SHORT STORIES ON CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE: A Collection 
of Examples illustrating the Catechism. From the French by 
Mary McMahon. i2mo, illustrated, net, o 75 

SMITH, Rev. S. B., D.D. Elements of Ecclesiastical Law. 

Vol. I. Ecclesiastical Persons. 8vo, net, 2 50 

Vol. H. Ecclesiastical Trials. 8vo, net, 2 50 

Vol. HI. Ecclesiastical Punishments. 8vo, net, 2 50 

Compendium Juris Canonici, ad usum Cleri et Seminariorum 

hujus regionis accommodatum. 8vo, net, 2 00 

The Marriage Process in the United States. 8vo, net, 2 50 

SODALISTS’ VADE MECUM. A Manual, Prayer Book, and 
Hymnal. 32mo, cloth, o 50 

Also in finer bindings. 

SOUVENIR OF THE NOVITIATE. Froi. 

Edward I. Taylor. 32mo, 

SPIRITUAL CRUMBS FOR HUNGRY LITTLE SOULS. To 
which are added Stories from the Bible. By Mary E. Rich- 
ardson. i6mo, o 50 

STORIES FOR FIRST COMMUNICANTS, for the Time before 
and after First Communion. By Rev. J. A. Keller, D.D. 
32mo, o 50 

STORY OF JESUS SIMPLY TOLD FOR THE YOUNG. By 
Rosa Mulholland. 24mo, illustrated, o 50 

SURE WAY TO A HAPPY MARRIAGE. A Book of Instructions 
for those Betrothed and for Married People. From the German 
by Rev. Edward I. Taylor. Paper, 0.25; per 100, 12.50; 
cloth, 0.35; per 100, 21 00 

TALES AND LEGENDS OF THE MIDDLE AGES. From the 
Spanish of F. De P. Capella. By Henry Wilson. i6mo, 075 

THINK WELL ON’T; or. Reflections on the Great Truths of the 
Christian Religion. By the Right Rev. R. Challoner, D.D. 
32mo, flexible cloth, o 20 

THOUGHT FROM ST. ALPHONSUS, for Every Day of the Year. 
32mo, o 50 

THOUGHT FROM BENEDICTINE SAINTS. 32mo, o 50 


the French by Rev. 

net, o 60 


STANDARD CATHOLIC BOOKS. 


15 


THOUGHT FROM DOMINICAN SAINTS. 32mo, o 50 

THOUGHT FROM ST. FRANCIS ASSISI and his Saints. 


32mo, o 50 

THOUGHT FROM ST. IGNATIUS. 32mo, o 50 

THOUGHT FROM ST. TERESA. 32mo, o 50 

THOUGHT FROM ST. VINCENT DE PAUL. 32mo, o 50 

TRUE SPOUSE OF CHRIST. By St. Alphonsus Liguori. 
2 vols., i2mo, nety 2.50 ; i vol., i2mo, i 50 


TRUTHS OF SALVATION. By Rev. J. Pergmayr, S.J. From 
the German by a Father of the same Society. i6mo, nety o 75 
TWELVE VIRTUES, THE, of a Good Teacher. For Mothers, 
Instructors, etc. By Rev. H. Pottier, S.J. 32mo, nety o 30 
VISIT TO EUROPE AND THE HOLY LAND. By Rev. H. F. 

Fairbanks, icmo, illustrated, i 50 

VISITS TO THE MOST HOLY SACRAMENT and to the Blessed 
Virgin Mary. For Every Day of the Month. By St. Alphonsus 
DE Liguori. Edited by Rev. Eugene Grimm. 32mo, o 50 

WARD, REV. THOMAS F. Fifty-two Instructions on the Prin- 
cipal Truths of Our Holy Religion. i2mo, nety o 75 

Thirty-two Instructions for the Month of May and for the 

Feasts of the Blessed Virgin. i2mo, nety o 75 

Month of May at Mary’s Altar. i2mo, nety o 75 

WAY OF INTERIOR PEACE. By Rev. Father De Lehen, 
S.J. From the German Version of Rev. J. Brucker, S.J. 
i2mo, nety i 25 

WENINGER’S SERMONS. 

Original Short and Practical Sermons for Every Sunday of the 
Year. Three Sermons for every Sunday. 8vo, nety 2 00 
Sermons for Every Feast of the Ecclesiastical Year. Three 
Sermons for Every Feast. 8vo, nety 2 00 

Conferences specially addressed to Married and Unmarried Men. 
8vo, nety 2 00 

WHAT CATHOLICS HAVE DONE FOR SCIENCE, with 
Sketches of the Great Catholic Scientists. By Rev. Martin S. 
Brennan. i2mo, - i 00 

WOMEN OF CATHOLICITY; Margaret O’Carroll — Isabella of 
Castile — Margaret Roper — Marie de I’lncarnation — Margaret 
Bourgeoys — Ethan Allen’s Daughter. By Anna T. Sadlier. 
i2mo, I 00 

WORDS OF JESUS CHRIST DURING HIS PASSION, explained 
in their Literal and Moral Sense. By Rev. F. X. Schouppe, S.J. 
Flexible cloth, • o 25 

WORDS OF WISDOM. A Concordance of the Sapiential Books. 

i2mo. nety i 25 

ZEAL IN THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY; or. The Means by 
which every Priest may render his Ministry Honorable and 
Fruitful. From the French of L’Abbe Dubois. 8vo, nety i 50 


CATHOLIC NOVELS. 

American Authors’ Series. 


MR. BILLY BUTTONS. 

By Walter Lecky. i2mo, cloth, . . . . . $1.25 

This book, of which the scene is laid in a little town in the 
Adirondack Mountains, abounds in vivid bits of description, sugges- 
tive of Thoreau in their appreciation of nature, in dramatic and 
touching situations, and the quaint characters of Billy Buttons, Cagy, 
Weeks, etc., are sketched to the life. 

A WOMAN OF FORTUNE. 

By Christian Reid. i2mo, cloth, $1*25 

In all of her novels Christian Reid works with care, and with a 
good ethical and artistic purpose, and these are essential needs in 
the building up of an American literature. The heroine of the 
present story is a Southern girl of rare beauty and wealth, and of a 
very independent and perhaps wilful disposition. 

THE VOCATION OF EDWARD CONWAY. 

By Maurice Francis Egan. i2mo, cloth, . . . $1.25 

This is a novel of modern American life. The scene is laid in a 
pleasant colony of cultivated people on the banks of the Hudson, not 
far from West Point. A competent critic pronounces this the best 
novel Mr. Egan has written. 

PASSING SHADOWS. 

By Anthony Yorke. i2mo, cloth $1*25 

“Passing Shadows” is a New York story, the scene of which is 
laid, for the most part, in the lower east side of the city. It is a 
simple tale of love in a neighborhood that has not been much exploited 
by Catholic writers. 

A ROUND TABLE 

Of Representative American Catholic Novelists, at which is Served 
a Feast of Excellent Stories by Eleanor C. Donnelly, Ella Loraine 
Dorsey, Anna Hanson Dorsey, Maurice Francis Egan, Francis J. 
Finn, S.J., Walter Lecky, Christian Reid, Mary A. Sadlier, Anna 
T. Sadlier, John Talbot Smith, George Warren Stoddard. With 
portraits, biographical sketches, and bibliography. i2mo, cloth, $1.50. 
Contains short stories by the best Catholic novelists of America. 


BENZIGER BROTHERS: NEW YORK, CINCINNATI, CHICAGO, 

















